Education is a vital part of society. It enables individuals to become more learned, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. Since time began, education has served as a stepping stone for people to elevate their lives. It provides them with access to multiple opportunities within systems. Empowerment occurs and makes them forge their own path in their respective industries.
In the 21st century, learning has become more intuitive while also becoming difficult to access. While technology has allowed for alternative learning systems to form, there is still a significant portion of the population unable to access education. Even worse, those that do have access do not have a quality that everyone experiences in other parts of the world. This creates a gap in literacy levels and affects how future professionals perform in their respective fields. There are numerous changes that need to occur, and here are some that are incredibly important in order to improve education in the 21st century.
Accessibility
Accessibility is a major factor that affects educational attainments that people achieve. While some countries provide subsidies and even free education, others make it difficult to access because of high tuition rates. This makes it even harder for students to access education that should be easy to achieve. In order to remedy this, there should be more measures in providing accessible education for all. Not only can this help more students gain a degree, but it can also boost a country’s economy by adding to the pool of individuals that will later become part of their working force.
This change can happen in multiple ways. First, governments and school leaders can create more scholarships that are exclusively created for people who would not have access to education otherwise. These scholarships not only allow access but also decrease financial burdens that students experience when pursuing an education. Another way this can happen is through grants that diminish the financial load as well. If possible, state schools and universities can be subsidized by states and offer free education for all. This allows a more significant portion of the population to get degrees that they deserve.
Quality
This is one of the most important aspects of education. While accessible education allows people to have a way in, quality education ensures that skills that learn are applicable and are valid within the profession that they choose. This can affect service quality that they offer greatly. It allows for more competent and efficient professionals in the future, generating a greater impact on the economy of countries they are in. Because school is where formative years happen, it’s crucial to make sure whatever is being taught is retained and is of the best quality.
This factor works hand in hand with accessibility, as well. If accessibility is higher, interactions between schools are better. The higher the quality of education, the exchange of knowledge that occurs between individuals improves as well. This aspect of education will also change the way people perceive the importance of getting a degree, creating a better incentive and motivating more individuals to enroll. This allows for a wider pool of competent professionals to exist, contributing to the overall betterment of a country or state.
Teaching Methods
While education evolved throughout time, the ways of teaching remained practically the same. Students are placed in a classroom with one person discussing theories, equations, and necessary information for growth. However, this is not as effective for those who have difficulty with traditional forms of teaching. The success of these students relies on how malleable the system is and how conducive their learning environment is. This can severely impact students actually learning within a class, changing dynamics and setting an unfair standard as to what an educated individual is. To remedy this, alternative teaching methods can be put into play.
Alternative teaching methods serve to cater to those who are unable to get a full grasp of the educational system. This can manifest in multiple ways. Teachers and school leaders can create multiple avenues for students to learn by catering to their learning types. Auditory learners can benefit from a one-hour seminar or lecture, but visual and kinesthetic learners cannot. Teachers can create a way of teaching that caters to multiple types of learners. They can also implement a peer learning system to stimulate the critical thinking skills of learners. These steps can contribute to classroom learning success and allows for more people to succeed in the future.
Platforms
Coinciding with the previous point, the use of multiple platforms can also be a change necessary in the 21st century. This can especially impact those who see studying as a ton of work. Technology has made it so that multiple platforms can be used in order to provide learning to many students.
Video conferences and recorded lectures are a great way of taking advantage of this. It also caters to those who prefer learning in an environment that they feel is conducive for them. If you want to cater to students who find life in the community, then communal spaces can also be used for learning as well.
Academic Load
The academic load of schools also vary on a global scale. Some students deal with heavy workloads, while others are given lighter ones. This hampers the creativity of teachers and the motivation of students. Instead of having enough time processing and understanding the lessons, students are left stressing about deadlines for multiple subjects.
By regulating the academic load of students, it becomes much more manageable while also being easier for those who might see schooling as a difficult chore. By ensuring that the academic loads of students are of the right amount, they are less likely burnt out and more invested in their studies.
Conclusion
We exist in a world wherein it is incredibly important to make sure education is provided to all at the utmost quality. The students in our schools are the future leaders of our society. It is imperative that we allow them to grow in the best way that we can.
Author’s Bio
Scarlett Hobler is an education expert and a writer at PapersOwl. She is passionate and dedicated to informing everyone about the value of education. She is incredibly accomplished, as well. Her work has been published in numerous articles and journals. She shares her insights and expertise on her blogs, imparting her knowledge to the rest of the world.