The educational system in America has seen dramatic shifts in the past decade. Technological advancements have opened new doors for sharing and learning. The classroom is being replaced by the webcam; student bodies are becoming collections of like minded students gathering on social media outlets; and the paradigm of teacher/student is slowly transitioning into a collective learning experience where students teach one another. It follows that students graduating with experience in technology are better prepared to enter various technology fields, which in many cases are experiencing higher demand than other sectors. Many students who use social media and technology are on the right path of learning. The Jenzabar Foundation recognizes these types students and offers education and scholarships to those who are social media aware.
Here we will take a brief look at some technological advances that have influenced the educational system:
1) Dissemination of Information - No longer is curriculum dictated by the hard bound textbook. Today's classes see greater exchange of information over a variety of mediums. Increased access to broadband has changed the way students interact with their professors. Text books have been replaced by eBooks; exams are now taken online; and reports are submitted via email. Information is moving quicker than ever as paperwork is no longer a requirement of the average classroom.
2) Teaching Replaced by Guided Learning - Access to the vast amount of information found on the internet has forced teachers to take a new role in the education of students. Rather than "teaching" students, today's professors guide students on the path towards self-education. By steering students towards information and resources for learning, professors play more of a mentor/coach role than ever before. Since the teacher is no longer burdened with the task of information dissemination, they are better able to focus on student comprehension.
3) Transition from User to Creator - Today's students are no longer raw users/consumers of educational information. The creation of new information and content has become the measure of a student's success rather than the consumption and mastery of existing information.
4) Student to Student Sharing - The classroom of the past had one professor and many students. Today's classroom paradigm is one of many students jointly serving as professor. Information is now shared amongst students as they take more responsibility in the educational process. By having access to the work of their peers, today's students are better able to interpret the material from a perspective more their own.
These are but a very few ways in which technology is reshaping the educational system. We will discuss others, and in more detail, in later posts.
