A Brief Overview of Education in the 21st Century

Official Start Time: 7:00 p.m.
Date: 4/8/09
Official End Time: 7:30 p.m.

Before I start, I liked to clarify that this information is primarily based off my experience as a student who has seen both sides of the education system and presents a weighted description of what he beliefs are the changes that lay ahead.

As of now, education in the 21st century focuses primarily around the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). These STEM fields are at the nations highest level of importance as the doors to a global community have finally hit educators in the head and awaken a beast that feeds off the paranoia and propaganda that the connectivity of the 21st century has made possible. Students in the 21st century are no different than students in the 20th or 19th century. The presentistic view that has changed their reflection has forced educators to push towards educational reform but at a cost that neither parent or child would be wiling to pay.

Technology in every essence of the word is meant to push the human race forward. In education, technology is used to expand the understanding of students to fields that previous generations could not understand. The controversy behinds such ideals lies between the efficiency and gain in such methods. Rote learning for instance has been a popular form of teaching as students review, analyze and prepare for test day with no room for experimenting in between. Experimenting in the past was a risk for many educators who lived during a time of modernization and social change in which the future was unclear and it was better to be "safe than sorry." Today, experimenting is slowly making its way into the everyday classroom as students participate in courses and projects that serve primarily as electives: even though many of these fields are revolutionizing the world around us.

The price however is too much to pay for many conservatives who fear that the reforms would mean the end of a generation of consumers who never heard of email or used a computer to take notes in class. The fear in many ways protect students and parents from total anarchy from philanthropist and mad men who would flip tables over in search of the perfect education system. This system would produce top quality learners and workers who after graduation could be launched into the world and serve their duty as doctors, lawyers, aid workers, and service men who lack the motivation and purpose that comes with hitting the brick wall in today's education system. It is therefore an inconclusive battle that embodies the frustration many educators face when selling a product that has no cash flow, but only merits to fly on.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman
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