Education Curriculum Trends - Coursework Example

Introduction The fast advancing technology and rapid globalization has greatly changed the socio-economic and political dynamics of the world. The social changes brought about by rapid globalization, have changed the socio- cultural values of a country, forcing them to formulate new strategies and policies to meet the challenges of the emerging pluralistic societies. The changing values necessitate development of a new social order which would not only embrace multi cultural values but help forge a universal bond that would transcend national and religious boundaries. Consequently, the academia across the world, especially the educational curriculum needs to undergo far-reaching transformation so that our children can effectively meet the needs of the changing times. The curricular changes expected in the next 10 years The compulsions of the present times require versatility in the work ideology and functioning, thus making it imperative that new skills and strategic paradigms are evolved to meet the emerging challenges with efficiency and unmatched proficiency. The process of globalization and advancing technology which has brought about huge plethora of issues, need to be incorporated in the curricula. Education serves as the most effective platform to introduce changes within the social fabric of countries across the world. The graph shows the two years comparative of completion and persistence of post secondary students (graph 1, appendix) UNESCO has observed that “the diversity, complexity, and changing nature of basic learning needs of children, youth and adults necessitate broadening and constantly redefining the scope of basic education” (UNESCO, 1995). Four major factors have been identified that have major impact on the society and the incorporation of strategic flexibility in the curricula is expected to facilitate the wide ranging ramifications of these factors. In the next ten years, the curriculum is expected to incorporate the following changes within its strategic goals and objectives. Compulsions of pluralistic society Globalization has brought together people from different cultures, religion, nation and races. The need to evolve common values and collective goals for societies so that people from diverse fields comprising different race, religion, color and culture may coexist in relative harmony and mutual cooperation has become imperative. The table indicates gender wise ethnic diversity in United State (table 1, appendix). Huntington reflects that “the great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural”(Huntington, 1993). Some of the negative implications of the socio-economic changes have been increasing dropout rates in school going children, drug addiction, inadequate facilities for meeting the challenges of the disability sectors and inability of the state to successfully combat the growing differences in the culturally diverse society. The education must be able to promote universal values and inculcate global culture. The curricula will need to change so that our children develop these vital traits and become responsible citizens of the world. Compulsions of environment preservation and conservation The rapid advancement of technology has brought about a massive change in our lifestyle which has not always been in our best interest. Some of the ways and means, which have contributed towards our better living conditions, have also brought certain challenges in its wake that needs our urgent attention. The limited natural resources like water, land and fresh air are being taken for granted with scarce regard for future legacy that our children are going to inherit from us. Time has come to take serious steps to halt the growing devastation of the natural resources and prepare an action plan for a sustainable development strategy that would ensure a better lifestyle while maintaining an ecological balance so that our future generation can continue to enjoy our beautiful world resplendent with wildlife flora and fauna. The changes in the education pattern must be able to create awareness regarding the need for sustainable development and measures that need to be taken to preserve our natural resources. Technology The rapid advancement in the field of science and technology has greatly influenced all aspects of our daily life. The use of technology has significantly improved the quality of life and has positively contributed towards a better understanding of man-machine relationship. The application of technology in the field of education has especially been a great asset in improving the overall standard of education and learning methodologies. The technology has influenced our educational system in a number of ways. While it has served as a means to improve the quality of education, the use of technology has also greatly facilitated a better understanding and developed a mutual respect in the ongoing teacher-pupil relationship. The wide ranging implications of the use of technology in education, has been an ongoing concern of the authorities who have continued to introduce better learning facilities and optimise the learning process leading to quality education. Beaudoin says that digital revolution has provided people with vast options of acquiring knowledge and obtaining higher level of academic and professional excellence (Beaudoin, ). Development of educational leadership This is probably the most important factor that needs to be addressed urgently to bring about changes within the education system as a whole. Educational leaders are not pre defined and moulded into certain stature. They are people who may be in the position to influence and motivate students to give their best. Educators and school administrators both can take up the role of educational leaders because both of them have the capacity to wield considerable influence among the students and teachers alike so that they give their best. While the non teaching staffs of educational institutes indirectly influences the students to acquire character, the role of teachers is of utmost importance because of their proactive involvement in the moulding of the character of the students. It is therefore, imperative that teachers must inculcate specialized teaching methodologies and value system that addresses the all round growth of the student fraternity. The changes in the curricula need to evolve new goals for the teaching and non teaching staff of the education system so that they are better equipped for encouraging creative measures within the student fraternity and provide conducive learning environment. Impact of curricular changes on the teaching and learning in classroom Curricular changes are expected to have significant impact on the teaching and learning processes in the classroom. Educational leadership is seen as the most important tool to contribute towards the successful implementation of the changes. Leadership refers to people who have the capacity to bring about changes in other people. Leaders create visions and goals for people, not only for self development but also for the organization and society at large. Discussion of leadership in education is important because teachers as leaders not only provide an intangible stability among the students coming from cross cultural value systems and facilitate their integration with the system, but they are also known to promote collective vision of the institute and provide the necessary impetus to the students to strive towards it. They help facilitate more accommodating approach to the changing dynamics of the educational scope and processes. Educational leadership is a strong tool for promoting independent thought and actions with good analytical and rational approach towards issues and people thus facilitating and building a society which believes in peaceful coexistence in a multicultural atmosphere. The teachers as leaders, provide facilitating platform for various aspects of the interactive elements of the education, which may comprise of diverse ideologies and personal conflicts of the individuals and helps in adjustment to work together to produce a cohesive output representing the institute’s unique objectives and goals. The social scientists have asserted that ‘we approach managerial leadership as a relational, ongoing social construction process rather than as a single clear cut phenomenon’ (Sjostrand and Tyrstrup, 2001). The educational leadership encourages creativity and innovative practices that give a unique perspective to participatory approach of management and students. The motivating factor of educational leadership (read as teachers) facilitates adaptability to changing equations, which occur due to rapidly changing environment of emerging new patterns in educational processes. It has another very important attribute of recognizing the wide scope of emerging opportunities. The empirical relationship of leaders and the emerging changes are critical for a given situation and therefore, good educational leadership demands a better informed leader who is capable of taking initiative and at the same time, he is also able to inculcate confidence in his students to move forward. Then again, technology in the form of teaching aids, especially that with interactive boards, has substantially improved the learning process among the students with low attention span. The use of technology in the classroom will promote interest and lively interactive skills that would facilitate better understanding of the subject. The technology is also expected to customize the curricula as per the individual needs of the students and provide them with a methodology that would be non threatening as well provide facilitating environment for repetitive learning tasks. Use of technological gadgets in the classrooms would also help improve the basic learning skills of the students. It is already seen that students, with technology in the classrooms, have shown better results in overcoming their uncertainties and have developed self confidence. Their learning process regarding reading, writing and comprehension, has been faster than those who have had to make do with the traditional ways of teaching. The use of multimedia in the classroom has been much appreciated, both by the students and teachers alike because it enhances the learning abilities of the students by addressing the needs and requirements of every student and suiting their individual style of learning so as to optimise their achievement. Through its use, both the teaching and the learning process have become more effective and have generated a greater desire to learn among the students. It must also be mentioned that the fast urbanisation and the technological advancements have been responsible for the global climate change which may have contributed in recent natural disasters like hurricane Katrina in California, hurricane Felix in Central America, wild fires in Denver and Tsunami in South East Asia. Making environmental studies as an intrinsic part of education system would greatly facilitate environmental preservation and encourage children and society to use the natural resources with wisdom and planning so they are passed on to next generation in a flourishing state. Recommendations Apart from addressing the fundamental changes in the study materials and infrastructure, there is an urgent need to evolve innovative approach and strategies that would meet the wider implications of the changing societal paradigms. One can conclude that if the changes in curricula are to be made effective then the following recommendations must become part and parcel of education system. Efforts must be made to develop educational leadership. Educational leadership assumes special meaning because it motivates and encourages that target group within the population that plays a crucial part in the future of nation building processes. They help students to become a responsible citizen while they are acquiring an educational qualification that would help them become financially independent. The teachers often serve as role models for their students so they need to be very meticulous and at the same time, he/she should be extremely knowledgeable so as to command respect from their students. The inherent tendencies of the children to keep their teachers on the pedestal makes it imperative that the teachers themselves must cultivate a value based character so that they are not only able to command respect from their students but their impeccable behaviour and teaching prowess, serves to motivate them to achieve greater height of excellence in studies and personal growth. Technology must become intrinsic part of teaching and learning process. Diversity must be an integral part of curricula and so that it could facilitate incorporation of the changing values and help establish a social system based on mutual cooperation and inter-personal skill. The social inclusion of vulnerable segment of society is important. The growing numbers of juvenile delinquents are also not merely law and order problem but the wider implications of such cases pose serious threat to the future of the state itself. The need to create congenial environment to understand the problems of the youth has become the need of the hour and the new curricula must address this serious issue. Distance education is acquiring a new meaning in the present context by facilitating access to higher education to people who may not be able to attend classroom lectures or campus exams. New curricula need to utilize technology to encourage innovative approach to education as opposed to the traditional methodology which is fast becoming obsolete. Indeed, educational leadership has become extremely significant because the fast changing socio political environment has necessitated the incorporation of rapid improvisation in the teaching methodology as well as accepting the challenge of creating a cohesive and encouraging atmosphere. Educational leaders facilitate the acceptance of the changes in a smooth manner. One can successfully conclude by saying that ‘within every school there is a sleeping giant of teacher leadership, which can be a strong catalyst for making change’ (Marilyn & Gayle, 2001, p.2). The changes in the curricula, when implemented with sincerity are bound to have positive outcome for the society at large. Reference Beaudoin, M. (guest editor & interviewer). 1998. "Interview: speaking personally- with Ray McTarnaghan". The American Journal of Distance Education, Vol. 12 No. 2. Huntington, Samuel. (September 1993). Clash of Civilizations. Council of Foreign Affairs. Available from: . [Accessed 6 February, 2009]. Marilyn Katzenmeyer and Gayle Moller. (2001). Awakening the Sleeping Giant: Helping Teachers Develop as Leaders. Corwin Press. Sjostrand, S and Tyrstrup, M. (2001). Recognized and unrecognized managerial leadership, in invisible management – The social construction of leadership. S Sjostrand, J Sandberg and M Tyrstrup (eds.). Thomson. pp 1-27. UNESCO. (1995). Available from: [Accessed 6 February, 2009]. Appendix Graph 1 FIVE-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE COMPLETION AND PERSISTENCE: Percentage of 1989–90 and 1995–96 beginning postsecondary students who had completed a bachelor’s degree or were still enrolled in a 4-year institution at the end of 5 years, by type of first institution and year first enrolled NOTE: Total includes private not-for-profit 2-year and less-than-2-year institutions and public less-than-2-year institutions. SOURCE: Horn, L., and Berger, R. (forthcoming). College Persistence on the Rise? Changes in 5-Year Degree Completion and Postsecondary Persistence Between 1994 and 2000 (NCES 2004–156), table 5-A. Data from U.S. Department of Education, NCES, 1989/90 and 1995/96 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Studies (BPS:90/94 and BPS:96/01). Table 1 Public High School Graduation Rates Table 1 Ethnicity Gender 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 Average Black Men 52% 53% 51% 46% 50% 47% 50% 47% 48% 47% 48% 50% 50% 50% 50% 52% 51% 52% 49% 47% 49%   Women 60% 63% 59% 56% 60% 57% 59% 60% 59% 60% 59% 61% 60% 58% 59% 64% 61% 63% 59% 59% 60% Native American Men 61% 51% 52% 57% 54% 49% 47% 52% 54% 54% 53% 54% 53% 52% 59% 70% 68% 60% 61% 61% 56%   Women 59% 61% 48% 57% 58% 54% 52% 57% 56% 55% 59% 61% 58% 62% 61% 77% 67% 66% 68% 66% 61% Asian Men 81% 81% 90% 84% 84% 84% 90% 84% 81% 77% 79% 78% 82% 80% 83% 86% 82% 80% 86% 86% 83%   Women 90% 85% 92% 93% 90% 94% 100% 95% 90% 85% 87% 85% 88% 90% 93% 95% 90% 87% 94% 92% 91% Pacific Islanders Men 65% 51% 75% 54% 50% 51% 57% 51% 47% 58% 60% 58% 53% 57% 60% 73% 65% 66% 67% 68% 60%   Women 64% 68% 67% 49% 58% 60% 55% 53% 61% 64% 64% 57% 59% 63% 63% 76% 77% 75% 67% 72% 64% Latino Men 47% 48% 50% 47% 49% 47% 47% 48% 48% 48% 48% 48% 49% 49% 49% 51% 50% 51% 48% 46% 48%   Women 55% 58% 59% 56% 56% 55% 57% 59% 59% 58% 57% 58% 59% 60% 60% 63% 62% 61% 58% 56% 59% White Men 70% 74% 71% 68% 69% 68% 66% 67% 68% 68% 69% 70% 72% 71% 71% 75% 74% 74% 73% 73% 71%   Women 77% 81% 78% 74% 74% 75% 71% 75% 75% 75% 75% 78% 78% 78% 78% 83% 82% 80% 80% 80% 78% Filipino Men 78% 78% 78% 77% 74% 73% 72% 79% 75% 77% 77% 79% 77% 81% 80% 83% 85% 83% 80% 82% 79%   Women 90% 88% 86% 82% 84% 82% 83% 86% 88% 87% 87% 87% 82% 89% 85% 94% 95% 88% 90% 88% 87% Overall Rate 67% 69% 68% 64% 65% 64% 63% 65% 64% 64% 64% 65% 66% 66% 65% 69% 67% 66% 65% 64% 66% Data Generated on Friday, February 06, 2009 at 9:45:59 AM Available from: Read More