Times are changing and we won’t succeed in this world if we don’t change with them. Five year olds today will be 25 in 2036; will the be prepared? We must ensure that as the world changes, so does our education system. Close the dusty textbooks from 1996 and start thinking about the implications of education. We must have a changing curriculum, engaging classes and willing teachers. Education is not something that can stay stagnant or we will never advance as a society.
I’m sure you’ve seen a handful of 5 year olds walking around with iphones bigger than their face and thought “God I hope that’s not their phone.” I’d like to think 5 year olds don’t have phones yet, but some of them definitely know how to use them better than adults. Future Learning mentions a lot about how children can self-teach when given the chance. Sugata Mitra mentioned “Children anywhere, in groups, can teach themselves how to use a computer.” Mitra believes that if children are left alone they can collectively learn how to use a computer without any instruction. A computer is like a new toy; you try things until they work and eventually learn how to use them.
Remember those toys with the different shaped blocks and you had to find the right hole they would fit in? This is similar to the learning that Ntiedo Etuk, Sal Kahn and Sugata Mitra stress throughout the video. They talk about the importance of video games saying “If a child plays a videogame they will keep trying to succeed even if it takes 100 times to do.” (Sugata Mitra) This is important because it shows children’s want to succeed when they believe they are getting something out of it. In the case of video games, they want to “win” or advance to the next level and this drives their desire to succeed. If we can find a way to incorporate this mindset in school, children will be more apt to try their very best.
Mentioned throughout the video is how school often teaches children to be “quiet and submissive.” Do we want children to sit in math class and be scared to be there? I remember being terrified that I would be cold called on and embarrassed in front of the entire class for not knowing the answer to a question. We need to create an environment where children feel safe to express their opinions and in turn want to be there. Everyone wants to learn; we need to teach in a way that promotes safe and enjoyable learning. Let us follow Sugata Mitra and teach children how to believe; in themselves, in learning and in life.
“The definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting the same result.” (Albert Einstein) If we want to change the way students view school and learning, we must change the way we teach. We must collaborate as a society and discover new ways to teach and new curriculum. Let us close the gap between students and teachers and open the conversation up. Together we can bring back the wonder of learning and the importance of teaching.
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