Well Informed #2- Learning 2.0

What is happening to American education? People all across the country are pointing their fingers at a number of different so-called causes to this national dilemma. All I heard growing up was how far behind America was in educating its young people. Countries like Japan and South Korea reigned when it came to having supreme educational standards. They left countries like the United States behind in their wake, not giving them much of a chance to catch up. Is there much that can be done from our point of view to help the aching and suffering school system of America?

As I reflect back on my grade school, middle school, high school, and university years, I find myself imagining specific teachers that I gravitated towards when I attended those specific institutions. I bonded with these teachers because I felt they cared about me and my education. Yes, they had their handful of students, like myself, who they looked out for. Yet, I made certain connections to teachers who I felt where genuine in their teaching and sought to help me get the education I needed. These teachers wanted me to be the next Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffet, etc. of the world. When I think of the success I've had so far in my education, I resort back to those teachers and the lessons they taught me.

If there are good teachers/professors out there who care for and do everything within their power to help an ailing student, why does the education system suck? I mentioned earlier that people are pointing their fingers at all sorts of sources for this problem: teachers, funding, lack of interest of students, priorities, etc. These are just a handful of possible reasons why schooling results tend to be withering away. I just want to give my thoughts on a couple of these reasons and share whether or not I believe what is being said.

In an article posted by Forbes.com, it said the reason why so many students struggle in areas like reading and writing is because the teachers teaching them are "not very good themselves."  The author, George Leef, continues in his article by convincing his audience that the requirements and standards to become a teacher are not as high as they should be. He went as far as to say that a good portion of the teachers hired on are near the lower end of the totem pole. Leef then states another problem he found, "But if the product of these schools is so poor, why isn't there any pressure for serious change?" His response to this question taints the appearance education executives by saying they are happy with where they are at and don't want change to come. In Leef's viewpoint, the solution would be to change the standard for those who can teach and those who can't. He references the route Japanese teachers take in order to teach. There are no education degrees. People graduate in specific fields and then seek to try to be an educator. A solution that seems to be working.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/georgeleef/2013/10/24/a-key-reason-why-american-students-do-poorly/#54e9c8d84753

The other possible problem I wanted to address is a lack of interest coming from the students. These thoughts won't necessarily be backed up by articles or facts, but as a current student, I feel I have a smidgen of  credibility. Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to do well in school no matter what. I worked my butt off to earn all the A's and A-'s shown on my report cards. I have wanted and still want to see what I reaped from the my own blood, sweat and tears. Yet, I look at others and I don't see that same will to succeed in school. In middle school and high school, a good portion of kids just desired to get a high enough grade to pass so they could move onto the next grade and play sports. This just wasn't the typical amount of students who struggled with this problem, it was a great deal of kids, who I knew to be smart, but just didn't care for school. Whether their focus was on making as much money as they could or other reasons, I just didn't understand why they did what they did. The importance of education can be taught from all sorts of people: parents, teachers, friends, etc. All someone needs is just an individual who is willing to show a sense of love and commitment to those students.

After I have harped on the education system for the last hour, I desire to share my final thoughts on the topic. I know that this country is struggling when it comes to educating its citizens. Results continue to fall for whatever the reason may be. I know there are solutions out there, but the real question is are people willing to make an effort to fix this problem? Maybe it is as simple as increasing the wages of the teachers, to give them more motivation to perform their best work. Or maybe, the solution is to change to workplace so that educational degrees, and specifically college degrees, have more of an impact when hiring employees. That would require for degree standards to raise, but if one is to have success in real life, effort and hard work are required. Learning is an essential aspect of life. No one can go anywhere or really do anything without it.

#learning