Education of the Future

Taylor, M.L. (2005). The net generation as learners: Rethinking education.[VitalSource version].

The author begins by discussing how Net Geners are growing up in a digital age.  They learn so much by technology; it is suggested that the education system is lagging 100 years in some places.  I can’t help but question, how can we, as educators, ever catch up to them?  By the time we learn what they've learned, there will be something else-something new and innovative to learn. It's almost like we need to just STOP what we are doing and START where they are.  We need to forget what we've done in the past and high-tale it to catch up with these learners. The author goes on to suggest that we should:  focus on the student, not the teacher, interact with students, customize learning to individual development, and encourage collaboration.  I find it interesting that this hasn't always been the standard.  I think it's a mentality. I've ALWAYS focused on what my students need to learn.  Even when I've been told what standards to teach, I've tried to teach them in a way that students will grasp and understand that particular standard.   I agree that educators should focus on collaboration; collaboration is the way of the world now. Everything we do in the work place deals with some sort of collaboration.

In regards to college, the author informs us that nearly half of students who enter college drop-out, or do not complete a degree within 6 years.   One may ask why this is the case, especially when many take out so much money to complete the programs.  Well, I find living in Las Vegas, the answer is money.  Young people get so “caught-up” in needing monetary items; they forgo their education in order to find instant gratification in a car, clothes, jewelry, etc.  Students need to learn at a younger age the value of education and how to be a life-long learner.  This begins in our younger years.  However, teachers struggle to teach these concepts because many are just getting by.  Some suggest educators do not receive the funding they need to teach.  However, I have worked in the education system and I’ve seen money being used in ways that do not help students.  Principals throw money around and it's actually hurting our students and hindering their learning.  The author goes on to suggest that classes are too big and teachers are underpaid.  He even claims that many teachers quit after just five years of teaching.  I have to agree with some of these thoughts as my classes were up to 45 students at times.  Often times there weren't even enough desks. I only taught 5 years and quit...the profession is for me, the politics are not. 

Additionally, high school drop-out rates continue to increase.  Can we solely blame our teachers for this?  Who is letting them drop out? I tend to blame parents more than I blame teachers.  Teachers are trying to "get by" and make-do with what they have.  Many teachers strive for student achievement.  Parents have a responsibility to get their kids to school and continue to teach them at home.  Education does not stop in the classroom.  If you can’t help your child learn at home, you better find someone who can.  I know that is a rough opinion, but it’s my opinion none the less.  7 out of 10 drop-out students complained that they were bored in class and did not feel a desire to work hard (Taylor, 2005).  Yes, this is a teacher’s job.  Teachers need to have higher expectations and not let students get by or pass because they don’t want to deal with them another year.  This is why teachers are taught to differentiate instruction.  The teachers to not do this, yes, are lacking in their obligations.

Taylor (2005) reminds us we are in a new era, an era of life-long learning.  Of course I agree with this idea.  I also agree with the idea that it matters more what you can learn and learning how to find information that actually knowing information.  The author brings some insight to the traditional classroom.  Each student rushes from class to class every 50 minutes.  They spend time memorizing formulas in math, memorizing vocabulary in reading, taking notes in English, etc and every time the bell rings, their learning is interrupted. I hadn't thought of it that way.  As a teacher that taught 50 min. classes, I was always trying to get in as much information as I could in an enlightening way (rather than just taking notes).  Honestly, after getting all the "business" taken care of at the start of class, the learning time was probably only 35-40 min.  What a waste of time!

Cornell University is using a new concept called “Good Questions.”  Through this program, students submit questions to the professor hours before class starts. The professor then has time to adapt the lesson and adjust to student needs.  Higher order questions are then asked during class with peer discussion/instruction to answer questions as well as any new questions that arise.  Of 350 students evaluated, the majority who participated in the program scored higher on math exams (Taylor, 2005).

Overall, there are various ways to run a classroom now and the old way of lecturing is no longer the standard.  Collaboration, technology, and investigation are the new standard.  I am actually really excited to see what education of the future will bring.  As my daughter enters school, she will be taught by some of these NetGeners and I’m excited to see what they bring to the table.