by Ernest Smartt

Created on: July 31, 2008   Last Updated: September 28, 2008

Political correctness, teacher's over-extended responsibilities, fear of losing their jobs, student lack of interest, teaching to the test, and many other factors as educators attempt to teach today's generation, are changing the way we teach. These changes produce new opportunities in education. Technology and other tools used today are rapidly changing. Methods of teaching and discipline are re-writing teacher job descriptions. Strategies and staff duties are changing the environmental personality of the classroom.

CHANGING TIMES BECOME CHALLENGING TIMES in the world of education. It is getting tougher for students to get into colleges and universities because of higher standards, and higher costs. However the there is an increase in enrollment in colleges and universities. This would seem to indicate that more students are seeing the need for higher education, and are willing to work harder to overcome the costs and higher academic standards. While this is an exciting fact, there are many students from pre-K through 12th grade who are struggling. From these struggles will evolve new opportunities for creating an almost new educational platform.

The challenges that are put before educational professionals in this generation often require major changes in how they look at students, what must happen in the classroom, and the ever-challenging statistics related to grades and grading standards.
The students are always changing. Their work ethic is falling below what would be an acceptable level. Their attitudes toward assignments and projects seems to be "do only what it takes to turn the assignment in." Many of them don't even have a concern about a grade. Moral standards are declining rapidly. Respect of authority is becoming a rare thing. Teachers have far more than just teaching to be concerned about.

Technology is changing the classroom. There are more computers available for all students. Video media is changing the way many teachers present their subjects. One would think that with all the technology education would be becoming more exciting, and students would be learning more and faster. IT APPEARS THAT WITH PROGRESS IN TECHNOLOGY THERE IS A DIGRESSION IN SOCIAL INTERACTION. Students are isolating themselves in the classroom. Even at the prom students will often be seen texting on their cell phones rather than having in person social interaction. This is a huge challenge for teachers and administrators, yet it doesn't appear to have been widely addressed

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>