In his TED Talk, shown below, Sugata Mitra states, "School systems are obsolete." This doesn't bode well for future teachers, such as myself...
Mitra goes on to state that schools were created to set people up for bureaucratic jobs in which people must learn to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic in their head. For current and future jobs, these skills are not as useful, thanks to technology. While we still must be able to read, most jobs are aided by computers that are render legible handwriting and arithmetic obsolete skills. Instead, the skills needed for current and future jobs revolve around global collaboration and creativity in the work force. The infographic listed below shows the skills that are deemed most important for working in the year 2020.
By providing technology to all students, Mitra states, “there is a way to level the playing field.” Every student has the capability to learn, regardless of their socioeconomical background. Mitra’s experiments help prove that student-led learning is completely attainable through the use of technology. This student-led learning is aided significantly by the implementation of technology. Instead of students solely relying on the expertise of their teacher, they have access to the collective knowledge of experts across the globe to help them achieve success.
I especially like the part when Mitra states that encouragement is key, and threat is detrimental to education. This is my biggest takeaway from this presentation. As educators, we must encourage our students and show excitement when they learn something. By threatening students with bad grades, rather than encouraging students to continue to pursue this knowledge, we are only harming our students. By giving students multiple chances and more time to focus on their education, we can encourage students to learn just about anything. Technology can help us achieve this goal with the aid of multiple outlets for learning that are easily accessible at any time of day.
While Mitra starts by stating that school systems are obsolete, I believe his real message throughout this speech is to prove that the role of the educator is changing. Teachers are no longer required to be subject experts, nor are they required to be the absolute authority on determining what a student should and should not learn. Instead, the 21st century teacher is required to be a master in encouraging students and guiding students towards finding the answers in which they seek. Most of us are familiar with the phrases "sage on the stage" and "guide on the side." Mitra would agree that the 21st century teacher must become the guide on the side for his/her students.
In this era of educational reform, I am looking forward to this new challenge of becoming a model teacher for current and future generations. Instead of reverting to teaching methods that I experienced, I have access to a global network of innovative teachers and lessons that will help prepare both myself and my students for the future.
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