Saturday, May 23, 2009

Schools that Learn Response

Schools that Learn is an enlightening experience for any educator, parent or student (if the student is mature enough to understand the material). I think the “Schools that Learn” discussion about the industrial style of education was most enlightening to me. As I teach I continually think about what type of world we are preparing our students to work and live in. I think there are major benefits to team learning and our students will benefit most from an adjustment to a team system. In addition I think its time that schools move away from an assembly line model for schools and move toward schools that model their schools after a corporation style.

Additionally Schools that Learn makes me think about globalization and what new challenges will face our students, teachers and schools in the future. We are preparing our students to live in an America that no longer works in factories on assembly lines and we are also preparing our students to live in an America that is actively competing with all nations in the world for a place in the job market. It will not be as easy for our students to get jobs as it was in generations past. How are we going to adapt our schools, lessons and curriculum to prepare and serve our students needs?

8 comments:

Danielle said...

I agree with the statements you've made! We are definitely preparing students for a world that we don't even know what holds as we progress into this future. So the big question is exactly what you posed- How?

DLong33 said...

I'm also concerned if we are preparing our students correctly for the real world and what future society holds for our students. Are we falling short?

Sharon said...

I would hope that there aren't teachers out there using "cookie cutter" methods to teach students!

Ms. Chiang said...

It is obvious that the current system of education is not working and not meeting the needs of the future generation but I wonder if people who are passionate about changing the system has the same vision - if not, what is the new direction? I wonder if corporation model is the answer.

Ms. Willis said...

I remember hearing that many of the jobs that our kids will have, haven't even been created yet. How are we supposed to prepare them for these jobs when they don't even exist?
I think that America as a whole (in some areas more so than others) is falling short...by measuring our students by one exam and nothing else we are not meeting the needs of our students...because of this all-important exam, we are often forced to use "cookie cutter" methods to teach (or prepare them for the exam)...As true educators we all know this isn't right, but where do we go from here?

Anne Brusca said...

It really is amazing that in a country which has changed with the times and made many advancements in numerous fields can neglect such an important segment such as education! The industrial model is so incredibly outdated yet still embraced on such a large scale and as you pointed out, HOW do we change it now? What we do know is that if something isn't done and done soon, our kids will not be prepared for the global economy we now live in.

Milagros Henriquez-Santiago said...

Thinking about the future that our students will one day face is daunting. I agree that schools are going to have to make major changes if they want to prepare our students to be able to compete and thrive in a global society. I only comfort I have is in knowing that change is occurring- though very, very slowly.

Fran said...

I agree with team learning benefitting our students in the future. I didn't engage in much team learning while I was in high school however, being in TEAM has taught me how successful it is. It is so important for our students to be able to work with each other, learn from each other, and build with each other.