Due to the millennial employment problems that we see nowadays, more people wish to change our traditional education system. As people who have gone through the conventional means of studying in a formal environment, we can remember several lessons which we did not find relevant in our present lives. Knowing this, we might have otherwise spent learning other things which are more useful to us now.
This is one cause of why the educational system needs a major overhaul. In this post, we will be talking about some reasons why one kind of education doesn’t fit all students, and what are some solutions to improve this state. Nancy of Behrman believes that every individual learns differently, and as such, each student should find what type of education fits them best.
Each student has multi-faceted strengths
Some students can excel academically with different subjects such as Math, Science, or Language. The problem with this is not all students have the same ‘academic strength.’ Some students may be better off excelling in sports, music, or arts, which cannot be readily measured by grades, lessons, and exams. Learning should be across all areas, not just through traditional academic subjects.
Each student has different learning styles
Aside from having different subject strengths, each student also has different learning styles. Some students learn more through visuals, others learn through music or sounds, and others learn through kinesthetic or movement activities. If all students are asked to sit down, watch and listen, we are not maximizing their learning potential because we are not equipping ourselves to allow them to acquire knowledge through their style.
Functional learning is more important to some students
For some students with cognitive deficits or learning disabilities, it may not be helpful to teach traditional subjects because they won’t also be used in their daily lives. For learning to be effective and integrated into these students’ daily living, we must make use of lessons which are functional such as common life skills, simple vocabulary, and vocational skills. This will allow such students to succeed in their way.
Passion is a more important factor than skills and knowledge
We often see how many people succeed—public icons such as Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, and Deborah Meaden–even without a degree. This is quite interesting to note because the common notion is one must be able to have a formal education before being successful. It turns out that for these people, the passion was more important in future success because that is what fueled them to gain the knowledge and skills that they need.
Maximizing study time
How many hours could we have saved if we chose to study subjects we are deeply interested in, rather than forcing ourselves over lessons we don’t care about? This can be true when it comes to the educational system. We can facilitate better learning for students, and we don’t have to ‘force’ them to study because they are passionate about the subjects that they are provided with.
Technology is ushering a need for educational reforms
Due to the digital age on the rise, there is a bigger need to change our education system. The access to knowledge through the internet can make learning easier for most students and can make lessons for customizable according to one’s needs.
Different teaching materials cater to different students
As what’s with mentioned with technology, there’s a new dimension of teaching materials available for student’s use. Some students will learn through reading and writing (e.g., pen, paper, and books), and some will be more responsive through the use of gadgets such as tablets and computers. Making use of these different materials to each student’s preference is helpful for learning efficiency.
The need for a dynamic learning environment
The present educational system has its flaws as we are used to teachers teaching and students listening. The problem with this is it doesn’t allow room for creativity and new ideas, which the new generation of student’s need to succeed as individuals. When we have a learning environment that is dynamic, it can help students to open their minds to innovative ideas.
Allowing students to learn at their own pace
The conventional education system is worked upon with the same timelines for students. This is quite difficult for some as students learn at different paces. Some may learn fast, and some may need more time. By customizing lesson pace for students, we can assure that each retained the knowledge and skills they need.
Exams and quizzes are not only the metrics for knowledge
The traditional educational system makes use of tests, exams, and quizzes to ensure that a student can retain the knowledge needed for each subject. What most fail to realize is that this isn’t the only basis, but more of actual applications in situations are more important in assessing learning.
Nancy Behrman is one of the founding pioneers in the world of lifestyle brand publicity. Nancy began Behrman Communications in 1985 at just 24-years-old after an eye-opening experience at the Sarajevo Olympics, hobnobbing with journalists and athletes from around the world. Driven by a voracious passion for public relations and the will to not only succeed but to innovate, Nancy opened up shop out of her studio apartment and made industry history.