The Whines of Change

Whether motivated by political, economic, or social conditions, education has always undergone and withstood change. Most recently however, as our world seems to accelerate in changing through mass globalization; increased usage and availability of technology; and the continuing breakdown of cultural barriers, the field of education is having extreme difficulties keeping up with the rest of the world. Why is this? Do educators fail to take advantage of new technologies? Does the education system lack appropriate funding to supply technology to students and faculty? Is the entire education system antiquated? The answer to all three of these issues is yes.

A very large problem that education faces today is unfunded mandates. Many states as well as the federal government have very lofty visions for technology in education, and have passed laws to ensure the adoption of technology. Unfortunately for students, the lawmakers generally haven’t supplied funds to help make these great visions a reality. This leads to the problem of teachers not being able to take advantage of technology because they lack appropriate training in hardware and software, or the tools are not available.

The education system is also still based on the factory model from the 20th century. Unfortunately, the world is no longer an off the rack, one sized fits all place. We have the ability to custom order most items and services to suit our own specific needs. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) serves to attempt to force this same kind of change upon the field of education. Unfortunately, a federal law such as NCLB only serves to strengthen the factory model, not to overthrow it. Education reform will have to take place at all levels, and simultaneously for it to truly be effective and lasting, and all parties including teachers, administrators, parents, and politicians will have to be held accountable for the outcomes.

Unfortunately, this is a vast and multifarious problem, which will require an equally mammoth and multifaceted series of solutions.