How to use current events in the classroom
One of the issues of our educational system at least in some districts involves separating the classroom from current events. It is important in this day and age that schools must provide some connection between what is being learned/taught to current events around us. This not only involves events in the United States but around the world. While we are an individual country events around the world affect us and our events affect the rest of the world.
There are many fine subjects being taught by great teachers/instructors in our education system but the connection to local or world events need to become part of the discussion. Discussion is the key. Students can learn from each other in addition to the teachers/instructors in various classes. Open discussions I am sad to say seem to be the exception rather than the rule. As individuals all of us have opinions and we should have an opportunity to discuss our opinion in a classroom environment in an organized fashion. This should be a part of any classroom environment even if the opinions being expressed differ from those who are leading the class.
The business world today is one of a global nature and students need to be able to think for themselves and have the freedom to express their opinions. Businesses and organizations today do not need yes men/women but individuals who can provide input on issues which need to be resolved within an organization. Issues we are facing today as a country in many ways we faced in our past. We not only need to learn from our past but look to the future. Our education system needs to allow contributions by students of all ages. This interaction may be the key that one day may help to resolve issues that we face today and those we may face tomorrow.
Our education system no longer can ignore the events of the world and the needs of the business community. The needs of business in this global economy need to be satisfied through any educational environment. While the overall education system is lacking as a whole there are areas where some districts are stepping up to the plate to help fill the needs of business today and into the future.
Another aspect is the control impact government has on our education system through programs such as common core. While some may say that school districts have control of their districts the concept of common core says otherwise in identifying not only what should be taught but the content in the subjects. It is fine for the federal government to provide statistics on how well our country is doing in certain subjects compared to other countries but the needs of our country should be the focus.
Comparisons are good but they should not direct the focus or subjects to be taught especially if they do not have a connection to the needs of business today and into the future. It is true the needs of business are changing rapidly in this technological environment and our schools at all levels need to adapt to these changes and connect the classroom to the business environment. There always going to be specific subjects which should be taught to satisfy the needs of business in specific industries. Some examples are science, math jobs associated with the Internet. This being said how these and other subjects are connected to the educational environment can spur interest by students to have a rewarding career in these and other industries. Students today will be the leaders of tomorrow and they need to have the knowledge to provide the resources businesses need to compete in a global economy.