The education system has been changing since ancient times, but it was not until the 20th century that there was a transformation in this realm. Primarily, the focus of past education was on traditional methods, which were very different from today’s education. The main objective of conventional education was to train people for their jobs. Today’s new concept is called “modern education.” This article seeks to answer these questions.
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WHAT IS MODERN EDUCATION?
The term “modern” means up-to-date. Modern education, or simply progressive education, is a type of education that develops students’ abilities and skills. In other words, modern education focuses more on the development of human beings rather than on training them for specific jobs. That is why modern educators call themselves progressive educators.
What are the features of modern education?
1. Easy to distract
One of the chief characteristics of modern education is its emphasis on individualism. Many teachers nowadays believe that students have to be able to think independently. They must solve problems without guidance on how to do so by using their own initiative and creativity.
2. Depend on resource
Another feature of modern education is its reliance on resources. Teachers can now access information through various media such as computers, books, and videos to supplement lessons taught in class.
3. Student-centered
Modern education puts the student first. Students are not any longer passive recipients of knowledge; they are active participants. They must take part in discussions, ask questions, and express opinions.
4. Problem-solving
In addition to the above three characteristics, modern education emphasizes problem-solving. Students must find solutions to real-life problems by themselves. For example, if a teacher asks students to develop ways to improve the school cafeteria, they expect them to work together to find answers.
Integrative
Finally, modern education encourages integration among subjects. Students must learn concepts from several disciplines. For example, a child who learns science will also be exposed to mathematics. They may even apply scientific principles when solving math problems.
What are the types of modern education?
Just like other fields, modern education has its own types. Here are some examples of modern educational approaches:
(a) Collaborative learning
This approach involves working together with others to achieve a common goal. Students can join forces to create projects, solve problems, and complete tasks.
(b) Spaced learning
That is a type of modern learning where a tutor repeats a lesson several times. In this case, the tutor employs a 10-minute break/space between sessions to allow students to process the idea. This gap is vital as it helps to refresh the pupil’s memory. Essentially, students have ample opportunities to practice the material until they get the concept right.
(c) Flipped classroom
Many people also refer to the flipped classroom as the pedagogical method. This approach allows students to study new content or material at home and practice similar concepts at school. Students can consider practising using online search, video tutorials, or reading their tutor’s idea. In this type, it’s not necessary to complete the homework. Instead, the student must complete the assignment at school.
(d) Self-learning
The curiosity of students to learn pushes them to seek out information for themselves. They want to know more than what they started to learn in school. They are willing to do their own search for answers. This approach is often seen in teenagers.
(e) Gamification
Gamification is a combination of game design and education. It aims to make learning fun and engaging. The methods of some games encourage players to perform specific actions that lead to success.
(d) VAK teaching
This type of learning categorizes the students into three groups: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (VAK). Visual learners can understand the subject through visuals. Auditory learners prefer to learn through listening. A kinesthetic learner can grasp the idea through movement. These three categories help teachers plan lessons accordingly.
What is the goal of modern education?
The goal of modern education is to prepare students for the future. That means the student can be a decision-maker, problem-solver, and critical thinker.
Furthermore, such education should equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life. By providing students with a well-rounded education, they will be better equipped to handle the challenges of everyday life and make positive contributions to society.