Education is Changing

 

Education is Changing

As a teacher in Saudi Arabia, I'm always interested in how teaching methods are changing as a reflection on the new articles that I read talk about how our schools need to update their methods to better fit today's world.

The story in The Saber-Tooth Curriculum by Peddiwell (1939) shows that schools should change as society changes. This idea is also discussed in the RSA ANIMATE video on changing education paradigms (RSA ANIMATE, n.d.). This video says that our old school systems don't meet the needs of our fast-changing world. This is something I've seen in Saudi Arabia too, where there is a big push to make education better fit the needs of today's job market. Finn and Fairchild (2012) in Education Reform for the Digital Era talk about how important digital learning is. They say we need to change how schools are managed and funded to really use digital learning well. This is a big topic in Saudi Arabia as we try to use more technology in our classrooms.

RSA ANIMATE VIDEO

From what I've seen in my own teaching, the push for digital learning and new roles for teachers, as discussed by Hassel and Hassel (2012) in "Teachers in the Age of Digital Instruction," are very necessary. Although Saudi Arabia has started using more digital tools in classrooms, we still have a long way to go. Digital tools help teachers focus more on each student's needs, but this also challenges the usual way of teaching, where the teacher does everything.

Finn and Fairchild (2012) in Education Reform for the Digital Era emphasize the transformative potential of digital learning. They discuss how integrating digital tools can offer personalized learning experiences that enhance student engagement and understanding. This can be particularly effective in teaching complex problem-solving skills, as digital platforms can provide tailored challenges and instant feedback, helping students learn and apply new concepts more effectively. In "Teachers in the Age of Digital Instruction," Hassel and Hassel (2012) further explore how digital learning can redefine teacher roles. They suggest that technology can offload routine tasks from teachers, allowing them to focus more on fostering higher-order thinking skills and problem-solving abilities in their students. This approach not only makes teaching more efficient but also more impactful, as it prioritizes critical thinking and creativity. As we implement these changes, maintaining alignment with local cultural values and societal needs will ensure that our students are both globally competitive and locally grounded.

References:

• Peddiwell, J. A. (1939). The Saber-Tooth Curriculum. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

• RSA ANIMATE. (n.d.). Changing Education Paradigms. Retrieved from https://www.thersa.org/events/rsaanimate/animate/rsa-animate-changing-paradigms

• Finn, C. E. Jr., & Fairchild, D. R. (Eds.). (2012). Education Reform for the Digital Era. Washington, D.C.: Thomas B. Fordham Institute.

• Hassel, B. C., & Hassel, E. A. (2012). Teachers in the Age of Digital Instruction. In Education Reform for the Digital Era (pp. 11-30). Washington, D.C.: Thomas B. Fordham Institute.