Schools are failing to adequately prepare students for the new era of work and here's why.
Our current school system was designed and established during the industrial age with the aim of producing diligent factory workers. At the time this type of learning was necessary and beneficial to society. Today however people need a different kind of education.
In the video '6 problems with our school system' we look at why the current education system no longer serves the needs of the people.
1. Outdated Values
During the industrial age students were taught to follow instructions and then rated on their ability to listen and obey. "At school you're rewarded for doing exactly what you are told."
"These were industrial age values that were really important for factory workers," because factories required people who could follow instructions without question.
Today success is linked to innovation rather than compliance. "The modern world values people who can be creative, who can communicate their ideas and collaborate with others."
Unfortunately the current system fails to develop these skills in young people.
2. Lack of Autonomy
In school "every minute of the child's life is tightly controlled by the system." This imposed structure prevents students from taking ownership of their lives.
According to Peter Gray a leading voice on 21st century education, "children don't like school because at school they are not free."
This kind of control is at odds with the current work environment, where people are often expected to manage their own time and schedule their own tasks.
"You are making your own decision’s regarding what to do and when to do it."
Schools need to focus more on creating students who are self-motivated and self-controlled.
3. Inauthentic Learning
"Most of the learning that happens in schools today is not authentic because it relies on memorization and rote learning."
The system measures academic performance according to the amount of information students can regurgitate during an exam. "We know that such learning is not authentic because most of it is gone the day after the exam."
Today it is essential that students are able to use what they have learned to create new designs, solve problems and overcome a variety of challenges.
4. No Room for Passions and Interests
"We have an extremely standardized system." This means that every student is forced to learn the same facts at the same time in the same way as every one else.
There is very little room to explore and develop natural interests and talents. This system ignores one of the basic tenets of human life, that we are unique and different.
History shows that there are many talented people who failed in the school system but later went on to make invaluable contributions to society. People like Winston Churchill and Steven Spielberg were considered to be average students. These famous men and many others like them prove that school is not the only marker for success and it is often unable to help people discover their purpose in life.
5. Standardized Learning
There is a growing emphasis on teaching people according to their learning style. When people learn in the style that best suits them they are able to optimize their learning experience. "But the system has no room for such differences."
Unfortunately when students fall behind at school they are considered a "failure". This can undermine the individual's confidence and leave them feeling incompetent.
The system fails to make allowances for individual growth rates and learning ability.
6. Lecturing
Most learning is presented lecture-style in school classrooms. In this setting students are expected to listen to one person for an extended period of time often without participation or interaction with their peers.
This teaching method is considered to be unproductive and "fundamentally dehumanizing" according to Sal Khan from Khan Academy.
This style of interaction also goes against the current trend in work environments where collaboration, partnership and exchange are highly valued.
Proving yet again that schools are unable to properly prepare people for future roles and positions.
"Our system of education which evolved in the industrial age has become outdated and ineffective."
These problems highlight the urgent need for a new and improved education system that will equip people for the future.
For more insights watch
By Cindy Payle - Portal Publishing
