Comparative Analysis Of Education System: Selected Readings Essay.

To consider four or more of the optional/extra readings posted on Blackboard in a single synthesis. How do these readings inform, complement, and relate to each other? How do they all help to inform or describe a common concept?

The Similarities and Contrasts

This particular essay shall be a comparative analysis of five chosen articles which shall be dealing with the aspect of education and pedagogical practices with an undertone of the effects they are likely to have on the students. This can be called as the most basic similarity between the articles, and that is owing to the fact that the articles have a similar thesis statement. Albeit, their approach to the broad issue had been different, and they have touched upon various aspects of the issue and have thereby related it to the general issue. The following sections shall be providing an account of the areas in which the similarities and differences of the chosen articles with each other can be identified.

With regard to the problems of the education system each of the articles have highlighted a specific issue area and have related it to the issue of how that affects the learning capabilities of the students. In this particular context it can be said that the approach had been similar for the articles, however their inferences have been different.

Lockee et al (2015) have harped upon the point that the generic education system fails to understand that the all students don’t have the similar style of thought and capabilities. Each student is unique and is endowed with a different set of qualities which is why some students find it easier to grasp a particular course material while some others do not find it difficult. The education system is concerned about loading the minds of the students with as much information within a short period of time and that is however not desirable. That makes the education system quite exclusive and it goes fundamentally against the spirit of being inclusive and the spirit of equality. The basic problem which Lockee et al (2018) have observed on the basis of the qualitative study conducted is that the education system presupposes the fact that all the students are equal and the idea of giving preferential treatment is viewed upon as something negative, without giving due consideration to the factor that some students do need special help and providing them with extra care goes well with the principles of justice.

Caplan (2018), alleging the system of education as being a wastage of the valuable time and monetary resources seek to provide a justification which hints at the problems that  are making the system of education redundant at an increasing rate. No matter how much the parents might as well invest in good education for their children, they are actually being duped into believing that the students shall be benefitting from the system of education that prevails. The mainstream education system as alleged by Caplan is quite averse to the idea of bringing about a change and is extremely status quo oriented. There lies hardly any room for any form of innovation or thought process that challenges the status quo which causes the education system to be wrought with a state of stagnancy and that is quite harmful for the development of the intellect of the students. Even if there is innovation in the education system, it is however a method to maintain the status quo that prevails in the society.

The problems of the education system

Clement and Miles (2018) have opined in their scholarly article about the over dependency on technology as a reason behind the students being wrought with poor intellectual skills. That is their basic thesis statement which sums up the problem with the education system which they wish to convey. To substantiate their argument they provide the example of a quantitative research project conducted by Duke University. The research project states the inference that the broadening of the contributions of the computer technology and the internet has definitely made access to the channels of communication and the search for a relevant information quite easy and convenient. However on the flip side the mathematical and the reading skills of the students have definitely witnessed a decline. Clement and Miles (2018) opine that the readily available information at the press of a button has led to a decline in the level of patience in the students which is why, they find it difficult to concentrate on reading on a piece of writing. The over usage of digital technology has caused the students to virtually abandon doing calculations manually, which has led to a decline in the mathematical skills.

The above mentioned viewpoint which seek to enhance the learning experience of the students are more applicable to the adults. The next two article which shall be discussed are more suitable for students who can be considered as children. These two articles are more specific with regard to their target audience, rather instead of being more generalized like the previous three articles.

Gray (2013) emphasizes upon the problem with the generic education system meant specifically for the young students who are at the junior school level. Gray (2013) opines that the rigorousness of the education system tends to treat the students rather harshly from a very young age, which is like indoctrinating students right from the outset that they must accustom themselves to the rule of being highly competitive. The idea that a student must excel in academic s is given attention more than it deserves and thus it tends to hamper and severely obstruct the prospects of students to explore the world of ideas and opportunities. Gray (2013) does not however challenge the importance of academics, but his article is however not favourably disposed to the idea of studies being conducted in a unidimensional approach.

Montessori (1964) like Lockee et al (2018) had also argued against the collective form of study whereby all the students are treated like they are equal, which incidentally is not the case, and definitely not at all desirable for teaching children. She too considers the lack of personal touch in education as a problem in the education system.

Lockee et al (2018) presents the solution that pedagogical practices should include more movements and physical gestures on part of the teacher to disseminate a particular course material. Physical movements have this propensity to make the delivery of a particular idea quite relateable by the student. That particular approach has an undertone of personal touch to it, and the strictness of the process of teaching is absent which makes the process of learning and teaching quite enjoyable. Course materials are abstract, and to add the touch of comprehensibility the usage of physical gestures are an antidote to the abstraction that study materials are endowed with, by removing the level of abstraction and making it clear to the sensibilities of the student. Similarly, Gray (2013) also emphasizes upon the aspect of physical activities in enhancing the exercise of teaching and learning, however the solution which he provides calls for including playing and sports related activities for students, to enhance the learning experience. Apart from academic, physical activities are also important as they lead to the nurturing of a healthy body and a healthy mind which is very much needed for being able to grasp a course material properly and with ease. Like Lockee et al (2018), Montessori (1964) had argued in favour of giving individual attention to children as the personal touch helps teachers to connect with the students properly and that in turn reflects in children being able to learn things better. Apart from that she has provided solutions for enhancing learning capabilities in children which are relevant even today for students at the kindergarten and pre-schools levels. She had harped upon the usage of visually appealing things like pictures, colours and objects to increase the expediency of learning abilities in children.

Caplan (2018) provides the solution that makes room for innovation and for nurturing a thought process that encourages scientific thinking which is not necessarily always utilitarian in its orientation. The education system which seeks to devote too much attention and focus on the aspect of grooming human capital must rather concentrate on devoting the efforts to educate students the proper way. The proper education is the key which shall empower the students to be able to contribute to the economy in an effective way. Most importantly, forcing a student into being something is not at all a desirable idea, and definitely does not account for a good pedagogical practice.

Clement and Miles (2018) provides the solution that students should be encouraged and the curriculum should be designed in such a way which has a fine balance between utilizing of human intellect and the artificial intellect. They have called for designing the tests and assignments in a way which would eliminate the usage and dependence on technology to a great extent. The basic argument which they make is that technology is supposed to assist students in their pursuance of the education however total dependency on it is not desirable.

Conclusion:

Thus it can be said that the scholars are united by purpose of chalking out the problem areas and finding the relevant solution while they are divided on the basis of their subjective approach to addressing the purpose. However, the novelty of their contributions should be acknowledged and implemented for enhancing education as an experience for both the students as receivers and teachers as providers.

References:

Caplan, B. (2018). The case against education: Why the education system is a waste of time and money. Princeton University Press.

Clement, J., & Miles, M. (2018). Screen Schooled: Two Veteran Teachers Expose how Technology Overuse is Making Our Kids Dumber. Black Inc..

Gray, P. (2013). Free to learn: Why unleashing the instinct to play will make our children happier, more self-reliant, and better students for life. Basic Books.

Lockee, B. B., De Bruyckere, P., Kirschner, P. A., & Hulshof, C. D. (2015). Urban myths about learning and education.

Montessori, M. (1964). The Montessori Method, Rome 1912.