There is increasing discussion that we need to review our educational systems.
Our youth require skills that are not being addressed by the current system.
Here is a viewpoint from a new school using a revolutionary framework.
There is talk that the educational system is not preparing our children for the real world.
Our schools have not kept pace with the rapidly changing world.
Many of our schools still use the Industrial Age mentality of preparing students to work in factories.
There is a new school in India based on a revolutionary framework. It is called NEXT school and uses Big Picture Learning.
This approach focuses on developing skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity and planning.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supports Big Picture Learning .
In a video, NEXT school outlines 6 problems with our school system as:
1-INDUSTRIAL AGE VALUES:
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The education system was set up to train people to work in factories.
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Children are taught in batches.
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They learn to follow instructions.
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They are rewarded for doing exactly what they are taught to do.
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There is no communication or collaboration.
2-LACK OF AUTONOMY AND CONTROL:
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Schools teach children that they are not in control of their lives.
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Every minute of a child’s life is managed.
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They have to follow strict rules instead of taking charge and making the most of their lives.
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Children don’t like school because they are not free there.
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Children are often bored and demotivated by school.
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Autonomy is an important psychological need that is not being addressed.
3- INAUTHENTIC LEARNING:
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We teach and test for retention of facts.
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Children are expected to memorize facts most of which are forgotten after the exam.
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Test scores are highly valued and this creates an unhealthy culture.
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Learning is not deep or authentic.
4-NO ROOM FOR PASSIONS AND INTERESTS:
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Education disregards that we are all unique and different.
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There is little or no assistance to find passions and interests.
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There is no room to find what they are good at and want to do.
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A great deal of talent and potential goes unrecognized.
5- DIFFERENCES IN HOW WE LEARN:
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There is little recognition of different learning styles such as visual, verbal, aural, logical, or physical.
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Variation in how we learn is not accommodated.
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If you do not learn something as fast as the majority, you are considered a failure.
6- LECTURING:
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Facing more than 5 hours a day of lectures can be a dehumanizing experience.
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Children are not allowed to interact with each other.
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This method does not accommodate students with different levels of understanding.
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Lecturing is outdated, with little use made of the incredible resources now available through the internet and digital media.
In our group coaching we can assist our youth to develop 21st century skills.
We can assist them with creativity, collaboration, communication, planning and goal setting.
These are skills that can assist them as they enter adulthood.
You can view the video from NEXT school below.
Please share your ideas on how we can assist our youth to learn and practice skills for the 21st Century.
If you require more information, please contact us.
LEARN MORE:
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Wishing you lots of love and laughter, as always.
Fred Jones
Victoria, BC Canada
Fred Jones
Industrial Age education!! We see the same in many of our workplaces as well. All because we are never really clear on what outcomes we are trying to achieve. I’m remembering Steven Covey’s advice: Begin with the end in mind.
Thanks for the insight LowellAnn. If we can assist our youth with changing our mindset as to why and what we are doing here it will assist them and all of us. You remind me of what Simon Sinek has stated about starting with WHY.
yes