In one of my classes, I was asked to talk about what our thoughts are about where we stand educationally regarding technology and whether or not we are really preparing students for dealing with the technological society of tomorrow. In a way, this will be very subjective depending on where an individual is, whether or not they are an educator and even whether or not they themselves are technologically competent. So, for me, this will be an interesting question.
Educationally speaking, I think we are still behind more countries around the world than we are in front of — which is extremely sad in my opinion. I believe we have been the leaders for so long that it has come to the point we no longer remember what it took to get there. I recently watched a video (2 Million Minutes) and it described what students do in other countries to receive their education. We take it for granted that we allow EVERY student to receive an education.I think it is because of these our students do not really “work” for it anymore. Instead, they show up because they have to, not really striving or doing the most of what they can accomplish.
In some countries, students have to dodge bullets just to go to school. Others, must complete various testing and score high enough to keep in school. Our students are entitled to an education. We are becoming an entitlement society more and more. This, for me, is one of my greatest fears. If we relax too much, what will become of this great country of ours?
Are we preparing our students to enter into this technological society? I can speak for others, but I can speak for myself. I am trying my best! I set high standards for my students and try to expose them to more and more technology. Unfortunately, but the time they get to me, they have already been failed. I am teaching them skills that should have been taught many years before I have them in class.
Where, or possibly better asked, how does this happen in a country as blessed as we are? I think it begins with how we operate as a society. We are who we are and that should be enough. Unfortunately, it is not anymore. Projections have shown that in order for us to keep up with the rest of the world we are going to need to graduate more and more people within Sciences, Math and Engineering segments.
Our educators need to be retrained so that it begins as soon as a student enters school. Our parents need to be trained so that mediocre school work is not acceptable. We need to start from ground zero to implement these changes and quickly before another generation is lost to the entitlement era.
I am adding a linkto a portion of the documentary “2 Million Minutes”. I would highly recommend everyone look at this, it is scary to see where we stand.
YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niU1E3SSTAM
