Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology: Chapter 6

THREE ERAS OF EDUCATION


For some reason I found this chapter hard to follow. I felt like information was everywhere and it wasn't as interesting to me as the other chapters in this text.  I did find it interesting, however, to learn the history on how the responsibility for education shifted from parents to the state and then to the individual back to the parents.  I'd never really thought of education in this cycle, but after learning more about the process it is clear to me how it has evolved. It was the Industrial Revolution that created the movement towards education being state taught. Many immigrants were here at that time and some leaders felt as thought immigrant parents would not be able to teach the American values to their children.  This is what has led to the realization that parents and their children can be very different people and not share the same set of morals. When taught in an universal school setting parents are taking the risk that their children may be introduced to different beliefs and also may be influenced a great deal by their peers.  The text explains that home schooling has become such a strong and growing movement for those reasons.  I agree that if your children are being taught by other educators besides their parents that they will be introduced to many different moral and values, but I don't think that is an issue that will be changing anytime soon.  I found it very interesting that the book stated that education is shifting back towards the parents being responsible for their children's education.  I wasn't sure if I agreed, but I guess they have had studies that prove there has been a steady growth in home schooling, learning centers, and distance education. It made even more sense to me when I read about why they believe this.  One example is that parents are buying more and more of educational videos and items that educate their children in what they believe is important.  I think I will be one of those parents who will see education as an area that can be introduced at a very different age. I'm sure I'll be buying those popular "Baby Einstein" videos and audio CDs.  I also have decided I want to teach my children Spanish at a young age.  I took six years of it in high school and know what a challenge it was to learn as a teenager.  I also found the "expectations" section very interesting, many young people are "learning what they think will be of value to them." Isn't that true? It seems some students only care about the areas that interest them and they feel will benefit their future.  Seems logical to me, don't you think? Food for thought. In order to be prepared in the 21st century research has found that people need education in five areas: 1. Resources 2. Interpersonal 3. Information 4. Systems 5. Technology. I hope that I can really incorporate these areas into my lessons and curriculum.  I want my students to be as prepared as possible! They are our future!