Question 1: values in the industrial age
We educate our children in batches and control their lives by ringing the bell. Students do nothing all day, just follow the instructions: sit down, take out your book, turn to page 40, answer question 3 … stop talking …
At school, you will be praised for being obedient. These are the values of the industrial age. This is very important to the workers in the factory. Their success depends on whether they follow instructions and what they hear. But in today's world, how far can you just follow the instructions? Modern society attaches importance to creativity, the ability to communicate ideas smoothly and to cooperate with others. But in our school based on the values of the industrial system, our students have no chance to exercise these abilities.
Problem 2: Lack of self-control and control.
At school, we lack self-control and control, and every minute of the school is strictly controlled by the system. But today, if you want to do important work, you must manage your time well, and you decide when and what to do. But school life is completely different. The system is sending a dangerous signal to our students: they can't control their lives, they just need to obey the rules, not control and enrich their lives. Experts believe that self-control is very important for students. No wonder our students are bored and frustrated with school. Can you imagine how you would feel if someone told you what you need to do every minute?
Question 3: Invalid learning.
Nowadays, most studies in schools are ineffective because they rely too much on memory and rote memorization. The system defines the general knowledge that all students must learn, and then every few months we test how much they have learned through exams. We know that this kind of study is ineffective, because most of the knowledge will disappear the next day after the exam. Learning can be deeper and more real than simple memory and retention. But this is really the only thing we measure, and the exam results are the only thing we value. This has created an extremely unhealthy culture for students, parents and teachers. Students are experiencing endless tuition fees: staying up late to remember useless knowledge and then forgetting it soon.
Question 4: There is no room for passion and interest.
We have a very standardized system. Every student must learn the same things at the same time and in the same way as everyone else. This way does not respect human nature. Everyone is unique and exists in his own way. We all have our own interests and passions, and the key to human success is to find our own love. But does our current school help students find and develop their enthusiasm? Nowadays, education seems to leave no room for children's most important problems. What am I good at? What do I want to do in my life? How should I adapt to this world? The education system doesn't seem to care. A large number of talented people failed in the school system. Fortunately, they can overcome these failures. But not everyone can. We can't measure how many talented and potential people have not been discovered in the current learning system.
Question 5: Different learning methods.
Each of us has different learning methods, different learning time, and different learning tools and resources suitable for us. But the education system does not leave room for these differences, so if you learn things a little slower, you will be considered a loser, but you need more time to catch up.
Question 6: Lecture.
Under the current education system, students need to listen to five hours of classes every day. But there is a big problem with this teaching method. Sal Khan of Khan Academy believes that teaching is an all-round and very inhuman experience. Students put their fingers on their lips and are not allowed to interact with other children. Moreover, in many classes, different students have different comprehension abilities. No matter what teachers do now, there will be students who are bored because they are ahead, or students who don't understand because they are behind. Thanks to the Internet and digital media, students can now get all the information in the world at their fingertips, and technology allows everyone to know anything. However, for fear of getting out of control, the education system did not use these incredible resources.
The education system that we developed in the industrial age is outdated and ineffective. If we want to prepare our children for the modern world, and if we want to study efficiently and attractively, there is no doubt that we need to completely change the education system.
Do you agree with these views?