EDIT 761

 Education Reform

The one single best piece of information from this module, in my opinion, was the Ken Robinson visual graphic video which explained how our country went from educating students in an industrial age to educating them in an informational age. It makes so much sense as to why things were done in a certain way then. However, it does not make sense to educate students the same way now. His information about ADHD and the medications for it that numb the brain from all the stimulus makes so much sense to me.  I also found it incredibly interesting that the medications are prescribed much higher in the Eastern U.S. Children are continuously being stimulated by screens, noise, lights, etc., and to expect them to sit down then and listen quietly to a teacher drone on about what they perceive to be useless information is a fruitless task.  Ultimately, I do believe the goals of education are basically the same. Taken from the book Disrupting Class  by Clayton Christensen, these are the basic goals of American education:

1. Preserve our democracy and instill democratic values. 
2. Eliminate poverty. 
3. Keep America competitive. . 
4. Keep students competitive.
5. Provide something for every student. 

However, the way we reach these goals needs to change. With standardized testing, we are only testing a students ability to memorize. We are not teaching them to be versatile, confident, adaptable, resilient, or resourceful. Students are not learning perseverance or learning how to have a growth mind-set. Students are graduating from universities with degrees yet have no real skill sets that they need to be successful working in a company where collaboration, problem solving and team work are the most important skills. Thankfully, there are school systems who are adapting new ways of teaching. FCPS is one school district that is trying to change the way educators help students become more critical thinkers and global citizens. FCPS-Portrait of a Graduate 

My experience teaching with students who are disinterested in school, are medicated, and feel that they are not smart because they do not excel in academics totally supports the need for education reform. I am continually looking for ways to make their learning experiences meaningful and useful to them for future needs.