Reforming Education: Learning is not “One-Size-Fits-All.” by Elizabeth

Reforming Education: Learning is not “One-Size-Fits-All.” by Elizabeth - July 2022 Scholarship Essay

Every day, more and more students become discouraged by the current American
education system, which is outdated and becoming increasingly unfit for modern society. Technological advances and cultural changes call for necessary, revolutionary change in the traditional education model. In order to foster creative thinking in schools, the education system should put greater emphasis on elective classes and incorporate personalized learning projects, both of which would nurture genuine learning experiences and intimate learning environments.
America’s current education system relies heavily on structure, which often confines
students. While structure and order are necessary for implementing discipline within schools to some extent, such structure can hinder creativity, which is detrimental to learning and the pursuit of individuality. Young people especially must have the freedom to realize their own passions and practice self-sufficiency. It is inadequate to engrain in students that there is only one path to success in life– in reality, the vastness of modern society necessitates for individuals to develop niche skill sets to become distinguished in their respective fields. The current learning curriculum does not allow students enough opportunities to seek out their interests.
Unfortunately, the current education system emphasizes core academic subjects like math and science at the expense of trivializing elective courses like computer programming and business classes. Elective courses provide students with career-specific knowledge, making their transition to the workforce in the real world easier. Offering various paths towards success, electives allow for students to gain independence and explore possible careers. Effective learning from electives demonstrates that learning is not “one-size-fits all.”
The classroom setting has dramatically changed amidst the coronavirus pandemic, as schools utilize virtual learning technologies in order to resume instruction. In modern society, there is essentially no limit to the access to knowledge. In ideal settings, these technologies maximize productive learning and inspire students to learn more. If students are forced to comprehend material in which they are not interested, this learning can be called unproductive or ineffective learning, in which students do not value nor retain the information. With the abundance of technology and especially during virtual learning, education models should transition towards a more personalized form of learning. As there are more pathways for success, individualized learning correlates to higher student engagement, and this autonomy inspires genuine motivation in students to become committed to their studies. The incorporation of elective courses allows for students to pursue fields of studies that are not included in traditional classes. Many online courses exist due to the abundance of technology, and schools should promote personalized learning by incorporating these courses into their curriculum. These nontraditional classes unveil creativity among students and stimulate critical thinking, which leads to more productive learning overall. Schools must provide the resources and instruct in a way that maximizes students’ potential, not inhibit it. Students have to be invested in their learning in order for it to be effective. The online resources do exist; it is a matter of if policy makers come to accept that change is necessary in order to improve the future of education. As society evolves, the institutions must evolve as well in order to fit the current needs of the people.
As America moves into a technology-dependent learning model, the forms of assessment of students’ knowledge must be modified. A student’s merit cannot be thoroughly assessed by mere memorization and recollection of information that is given through a traditional test. Instead, school curriculums should turn to project-based assessments. Benefits include an increase in creative and critical thinking as well as a hands-on learning experience. In this form of assessment, students can collaborate with like-minded peers who share a common passion in that particular field of study, which reflects real-world experiences in the workplace. By developing personalized learning projects, students take control of their education, fostering an individualized form of learning. In project-based assessments, the students deepen their understanding of the material through applying their knowledge to build upon something greater, going beyond the minimal understanding and memorization that comes from test-based assessments. Projects are a way for students to incorporate their knowledge from various classes, which maximizes their potential and results in productive learning.
The current American education system is not up to date with modern times, which is detrimental to society as a whole because students are unable to realize their full potential. The children of today cannot thrive when they are put in an environment that was made for a world centuries ago. In this modern era of technology, and especially in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, schools should incorporate online elective courses into the learning curriculum and project-based assessments to evaluate the students’ knowledge in their respective elective’s field of study. If schools designate specific days for electives, they are directly promoting student engagement through individualized learning. The current lack of student engagement and preparedness for careers in the real world limits students’ capabilities, but the incorporation of elective courses and project-based assessments into the curriculum will help solve these problems. The education model must stray away from standardization, and alternatively, embrace the technology-abundant world, and use the resources to maximize individual and creative thinking. Knowledge should not be forced out of a system and onto students; rather, knowledge should be obtained out of genuine curiosity. The education system must prepare children to create their own futures, for the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow.