FACE OF EDUCATION IS EVOLVING: WHAT SHOULD BE THE REQUIRED APPROACH OF TOP EDUCATIONIST?

Introduction

The future of learning will be more innovative and inspirational than traditional methods. The constantly-evolving landscape of education is an undeniable reality. Educationists have to adapt their practices to the shifting needs of their profession. Educators can no longer tolerate the cycle of dysfunction rampant across the country. Specific fresh approaches to education are generating positive results in the world. Teachers need to learn to adapt these techniques and incorporate them into their everyday practice. These educational innovations take inspiration from the work of top American educationists. Let’s discuss these latest teaching methods and their effects on pedagogy.

The finest approaches to education

The United States spends a lot on education but still lags behind other countries. It ranks #1 for international student hosting. The US was leading the world 30 years ago in quality education. In 2015, it ranked 36th. Teacher quality is also compromised, with more than 10% of them leaving after one year—50% last half a decade only. Similarly, for students getting enrolled in 4-year programs, half of them take six years to graduate. However, we can uplift this curse by adopting some simple approaches to education.

• Student-centric education:-

A teacher’s responsibility is to engage his/her students in meaningful discussions. Teachers can’t motivate children to learn by playing “sage on the stage.” If a few students answer a general question, it doesn’t mean that the entire class has understood your lecture. Create small groups in the class and let them discuss the problem among themselves. Then allow each group to participate in class discussion. Ask thought-provoking queries and use open-ended questioning tricks. Please encourage them to work together on group projects.  It does not harm to grant a little autonomy to your pupils. Each student must be viewed as an individual and graded as such.

• Make learning personalized:-

Communication barriers stop teachers from engaging students in meaningful discussions. Our traditionally-designed curriculum makes the distinction between average and above- or below-average students. Teacher-education programs such as online EdD help educators advocate for personalized learning. These programs boost teacher retention and help them grade students systematically. Personalized learning seeks to customize education for each student’s individual qualities. Every student deserves an education plan based on what he/she knows and how he/she learns best. It opposes the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach to pedagogy.

• A literary perspective:-

Make your students fall in love with literature. A teacher can encourage them to enhance their reading experience in quality and quantity. Tell them to read more and try to find lessons from what they’ve read. Provide them engaging and thought-provoking reading material. Allow them to study for fun instead of passing exams. Prevent brain drain by stocking up the school library with books children don’t like to read. You could share what you’ve read with the class and invite them to argue about it. It’ll motivate them to reciprocate this invitation and share with you what they’ve been reading. They’ll grow up to become strong readers and influential writers this way. 

• Real-world pedagogy:-

Reality-based, educational techniques prepare students for real-world problems. It develops an entrepreneurial mindset among them and sets them on the path of self-exploration. Teachers should assume that students are experts on how to teach. So, they exchange expertise with their pupils. Teachers make themselves familiar with student realities. Both teachers and students can have a dialogue about possible educational reforms in the school.  In the cosmopolitan model, students have a say in how their class should function.

• Let them feel a little autonomous:-

Giving students a sense of independence enhances their decision-making capabilities. Let them choose the topics. Rather than assigning, ask them which projects they wish to explore. Let them make their choices within the framework of learning goals set by the teacher. It’ll help students engage with their studies. Empowering students permits them to have a unique voice. Build a cordial relationship with pupils by attending their sporting events or other extra-curricular activities. Engage them in discussions during office hours. Have a real talk with your students to break communication barriers.

• Online education and publicly-available courses:-

These emerging technologies allow students to manage their education even outside their classrooms. The increasing wealth of online knowledge has transformed the face of education. The trend of massive open online courses (MOOCs) provides students new and easily-accessible learning forums. Khan Academy has gained popularity with its digitally-available curriculum. Coursera has gathered $22 million in venture capital as an online education company. 

Students find these courses more immersive and informational than traditional university lectures. Online education also became popular due to coronavirus pandemic. It lets students learn at their own pace.

• Project-based learning:-

Project-based learning (PBL) helps students manage people and projects. It enhances their ability to interact with people, ask the right questions, and adapt to an altered environment. It’s a valuable method of equitable learning. Teachers play the role of not just coaches/instructors but of participants/collaborators in PBL sessions. They find themselves capable of discovering solutions to different problems on their own. This technique is beneficial for those pupils who show a lack of interest in the traditional curriculum. Teachers connect the curriculum with these projects to enhance students’ comprehension skills.

Conclusion

The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) seems to be fond of the Finnish educational system. The world widely acknowledges Finland as one of the best-performing pedagogical states. Access to quality education is a citizen’s constitutional right. Children have the right to choose their desired career pathway. The American philosopher John Dewey has inspired the Finnish practical and child-centric learning. Student evaluations must be sample-based, not comprehensive. Student guiding and counseling must be a part of the curriculum. Free meals are, of course, necessary for surviving school. These reformist approaches to education are slowly becoming standard in the civilized world.