From the Fischbowl

Did You Know/Shift Happens

Watching the Karl Fisch video "Did You Know?/Shift Happens" did get me thinking. Are the U.S. school systems really preparing our children for the 21st century or do they lack the technologically skills necessary for our children to succeed in our rapidly advancing world. I worry, as an older student that was not raised in a technologically savvy society if I will be able to instill the necessary skills in my students to survive in a world that is changing so rapidly. The video stated that we must teach our children about a world that doesn't yet exist, about technology that has yet to be created. This is a huge burden on not only on the educators of the world but also the parents, administrators, government and society.

I was surprised to read the statistics at the beginning of the video: 1.3 million college graduates in the U.S. is small compared to India and China. That could have something to do with the population in both countries is so much greater though. I believe though that the youth of those other countries are encouraged to pursue an education knowing that that won't survive in today's world without it. I think it is fantastic that 70% of four -year -olds have used a computer though it would be better if it were 100%. When children enter school, they need to already to comfortable around a computer and have some basic computer skills. The world is changing so fast and children will need be be ready as soon as they start school to jump in.

Our job as educators will be to stay educated ourselves. We need to prepare our youth for the future while at the same time keeping up with the pace in which the world is changing, which seems to be at the speed of light.