When will the teachers in our educational system guide and direct students instead of just teaching them mechanically? When will our students become active learners with the ability to work individually and in groups, both inside and outside school? When will parents and guardians become actively involved in their children's learning instead of just visiting schools every now and then to ask which class their children are in? When will our schools complement society and those who work in the education sector?
Internet education and the inclusion of IT in school curriculums are the answers to my questions.
Recently, an educationist talked about ten transformations that influenced the digital generation and its usage of the Internet. As part of the transformation, students were taught free content instead of just the school curriculum. Students were also introduced to different tools and methods of teaching, instead of just the teacher being the only instructor who communicates with the student. The educationist also said that teaching should be based on discussions, research and discovering.
Students will need to verify electronic information and look for sources. Writing is no longer about writing a paragraph on a piece of blank paper. The World Wide Web has now become a huge notebook for recording and registering information. Participation is also a required goal. Everyone can contribute and participate as long as students have access to the Internet.
We need change that will push students toward academic advancement. There are four basic elements for success: receptiveness, exploration, participation and teamwork. These principles are implemented in global organizations in the 21st century. For instance, companies such as Proctor and Gamble or Boeing have benefited a great deal from partnerships and reorganized themselves to lessen expenses and speed up innovation.
Introducing electronic services into our schools and supporting them is a basic strategy and an important request. This should run parallel to our education and its policies. Empowering students, teachers and educationalists through information technology will boost students' creativity and enhance their skills. This involves forsaking the old traditional ways, leaving isolated methods of teaching, and taking advantage of opportunities to learn and advance.
