How Education Is Changing in the 21st Century - Essay Example

How Education is changing in the 21st Century Name Course Institution Some of the drivers of change in the 21st century education are technology, and this has been a vital masterpiece in ensuring that education is made easier and enjoyable on the part of the student. Since education was earlier viewed as a form of punishment on the part of the students, this notion has been significantly changed by the technological innovations that have taken place. The impact that technology has had on teaching and learning is that the standards have been taken a notch higher, and this means efficiency and effectiveness have been incorporated. Some of the technological innovations that have taken place include the use of the internet in the learning process (Corson, 1998). Search engines such as Google and Yahoo have been used to provide the relevant information in order for the students to understand the concepts better. Some relevant skills in the education sector have been introduced because of technology, and they include creativity, productivity, collaboration, problem-solving, better communication, innovation, cultural awareness and critical thinking. Computer simulations have been used widely in subjects that may be difficult for the students to understand and comprehend such as medicine and engineering. Since the world is changing at a tremendous rate then, the classroom has to be diversified and dynamic as much as possible. The intelligence of the students is thus nurtured to greater heights, and this makes them versatile in the real world situation. The job market has played a role in driving change in education, and this is because of its competitive nature. The jobs today require that people possess the relevant skills in order for them to be productive hence the education system has had to change. Different jobs that were non-existence a decade ago are being created hence the students have to be taught crucial skills in order for them to perform such tasks diligently and in the process the unemployment rates are reduced. The students are, therefore, prepared for the rigorous job sector hence they can find solutions that emerge. The teaching process has also changed in the 21st century since it intensifies the teacher to student relationship. The relationship is viewed as a partnership since none of the two entities can do without the other. In the classroom setup, the student is more involved in the learning process, and this is different from before since the main mandate was for the teacher. Democracy prevails in the classroom since a student is entitled to asking questions for clarity or if he or she did not comprehend a certain concept. It is, therefore, evident that the student participation is inherent thus the atmosphere in the classroom becomes more engaged between the teacher and the student. Another driver of change in education in the 21st century is the advocacy of human rights, and this has seen the abolishment of vices such as corporal punishment that were evident in yester years. The corporal punishment entailed the use of the cane, and this was highly criticized, and this has made the learning institutions friendly. The students who are involved in wrong doings or mischief are subjected to suspensions as compared to corporal punishments. Better communications skills between the students and the teachers have also presented change in the education sector. The use of emails to enhance communication has made teachers accessible to the students in case of clarifications, discussions and the submission of assignments. Even if a teacher is committed then this does not act as a barrier to communication since the students can access him or her through emails, and this ensures that weighty issues are addressed. Both the teachers and the students have hence been instrumental drivers of change in the education system since the teachers’ roles in today’s world is not just about teaching. The teachers have to be entrepreneurs, innovators and mentors since the preparation of the students has to be diversified. They have to play a pivotal role in ensuring that high learning standards are adhered to, and this makes the students confident and skillful about their future endeavors. Globalisation entails the aspect of the world becoming integrated since it becomes interconnected in various ways economically, politically, socially and environmentally. Globalisation has been a major driver of drastic changes in education in the 21st century, and this has been made possible by the world becoming interconnected (Cullingford, 2005). The notion behind this is that the process has accelerated and intensified global interdependence thus linking up the global society. Technological innovations such as the internet have aided the process since the world has been made a global village since communication has been made easier, and this has greatly impacted Australia. The education system in Australia has thus been tasked with ensuring that the students are equipped with values, skills and knowledge to have a competitive edge in the global market. At the same time, the graduates are required to be good citizens who portray traits of being responsible in the world at large. Globalisation is thus a virtual that has ensured that the ultimate purposes of education are adhered to thus ensuring independence on the part of the learner (Cullingford, 2005). Globalisation has led to the emergence of comparative education, and this refers to education that involves research that makes use of comparative methodology so as to gain and provide insights to innovative and new directions in education. Globalisation has made nations review their education systems in order for them to remain relevant and competitive, and Australia has not been left behind since it has been strategic in incorporating comparative education. It is, therefore, evident that the learning process in the 21st century has evolved to greater heights. The internet has provided online platforms where students can attain degree programs from different universities located around the world without being physically present and at the same time ensuring that the education standards are not compromised. Research has been intensified since different universities can share crucial information that is centered in achieving a common goal such in curing epidemic and diseases that have caused havoc in the world. The education system has also become more realistic and practical because of globalisation as compared to being more theoretic in the yester years. Students are provided with the relevant skills that ensure that they are absorbed by the real world easily. The learning institutions have also transformed into becoming centers of branding, and this has been advantageous to both the learners and the corporate. Since communication is crucial then the English language has become the most-recognized international language. People who, therefore, come from nations that do not speak English are learning it at a tremendous rate in order for them to be relevant and conversant in the world that is dynamic today. English speaking such as Australia have experienced economic gains through enormous trade since demand is high for consumable goods. Through donations from various international organizations then education has become affordable even to the poor especially to the developing countries such as in Africa. The donations are very vital since they play a significant role in ensuring that education is accessible to all thus the vicious cycle of poverty is eliminated. The multiplier effect brought about by people attaining education is widespread since by people attaining employment both formal and informal then the crime rates decrease and in turn the society is made safe and this triggers more investments leading to economic growth. Globalisation has thus done a great job in opening up the world, and education has been made accessible to the majority of the people. Since most peoples’ aspirations and dreams are to improve their living standards then, this has been made possible through education. Education has also been a major driver of the emergence of economic powerhouses in the world today since for creativity, innovation and critical thinking to prevail then the relevant skills have to be present. The trend has led to people increasing their purchasing power thus leading to more goods and services being consumed. Education in the 21st century has thus been positively impacted by globalisation (Rabkin, 2004). The fact behind this is that the struggle and the quest for knowledge dominate and thus forms a new form of culture that can be viewed as a knowledge-driven social stratification. Social change is one of the factors that have been significant in ensuring changes prevail in education in the 21st century. Social change entails a different approach in cultural values, norms and behavior. The beliefs and values concerning learning, knowledge and teaching keep on changing over time. Social change is instrumental since it is influenced, and it influences the economic, educational and political factors. The education in the 21st century has undergone a tremendous change since it calls for a better understanding of the world which has become more interconnected, globalised and interdependent. Since education is an instrumental driving force in ensuring that changes in the world prevail then the teachers have a mandate in ensuring that they fully comprehend the social trends. The settings of education should thus not exist in isolation, but they should be dominant in the society. A critical understanding of the importance and role of education can lead to the advocacy of equity (Churchill, 2011). The teachers should thus be the drivers towards pedagogy. Australia has not been an exemption in experiencing social change since it has to adhere to educational issues at the state, national and global levels. Focus has been on principles that bind to authentic pedagogy since expertise in the real world is required. Once the students leave school, and they enter the real world then they have a social responsibility towards the society, and this is what the 21st century education entails. The learners, therefore, are supposed to be equipped with skills that meet the societal expectations. Creativity and innovation are vital aspects that are transforming the world and thus the same should be inculcated into the education system and in the process a social change is experienced. As the world becomes more dynamic so have been the preferences that have been put in place in the education system in order to ensure that the same is replicated. The education in the 21st century is experiencing enormous changes, and the curriculum is not an exemption to these changes. The changes in the curriculum are not being undertaken in order to serve the interests of an individual or group rather they are taking place so as to improve the quality of the student learning. The world today has become so competitive and dynamic that for the students to be successful then they have to be equipped with the relevant skills. Teaching is a rigorous and complex process since it requires the mastery of the subject matter on the part of the teacher. The Australian curriculum entails the experiences, routines, interactions, events and activities that take place in the education setup and they can be both planned and unplanned. The curriculum is a complex undertaking since it is developed, enacted and understood in different ways. The social, economic, political and social factors can influence the curriculums. The changes in curriculum are influenced by different ideologies in education from the lower level to the higher education levels. The curriculum, therefore, has both the theoretical and philosophical perspectives that are obligated to meet certain aims and needs. The curriculum is subject to changes because aspects such as technological innovations and globalisation are transforming the world at a very fast rate thus the same should be replicated in the education system. Students are being equipped with lessons pertaining computers and technology since this has been one of the driving force of economic growth thus the curriculum has to implement such aspects. The curriculum is mandated to ensure that the learner is made better off by being diverse and responsible for prosperity to be achieved. The changing pedagogy is crucial and important since it ensures that shifts in thinking about teaching and learning are made based on the 21st century education. The pedagogies that should be adopted are those that support powerful models of learning and teaching. The students should also be equipped with technologies that ensure that they attain new knowledge that enables them to connect with the world. In-depth learning or deep learning are some of the changing pedagogies that are required for success to be attained in the present age as well as in the future. Deep learning is important since it ensures that learning is not all about the mastery of the content on the part of the student. The main emphasis is on the critical thinking on the part of the students. The new pedagogies value the role of the teacher since it is pivotal in the formation of partnerships with the students. The changing pedagogies also lay emphasis on personalised learning where the learner has to study on their own in order to ensure that they comprehend the different concepts fully (Yogev, 1993). Character education is also advocated since virtues such as responsibility, honesty, hard work and self-regulation are stressed since they ensure that the learner adheres to good moral and ethical standards. The pedagogies are changing in that they ensure that the learner can solve complex problems and at the same time creativity and imaginations are enhanced. The changing pedagogies have thus been incorporated in order to merge with the standards of the 21st century education. References Corson, D. (1998). Changing education for diversity. Buckingham [England: Open University Press. Cullingford, C., & Gunn, S. (2005). Globalisation, education and culture shock. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate Pub. Rabkin, N., & Redmond, R. (2004). Putting the arts in the picture: reframing education in the 21st century. Chicago: Center for Arts Policy at Columbia College Chicago. Teachers for Global Classrooms. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved August 12, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSiACqXdUc8 What is 21st century education?. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved August 12, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax5cNlutAys Yogev, A. (1993). Education and social change. Greenwich, Conn.: JAI Press. Read More