After three years of coronavirus, six months of war and national trauma, and decades of ignoring the fundamental problems in our education system, we have reached an impasse. Let's start by sorting out the main problems to lay the foundation for a solution.
Israel's education system is in ruins due to multifaceted failures
1. Political considerations Educational priorities take precedence and the system is weakened. As a result, all innovative efforts fail against mechanisms that are unable to bring about change.
2. Educators are devastated. Amid stifling bureaucracy and a dominant negative narrative that sees this dedicated population as merely trying to do the bare minimum.
3. Teacher shortage It's a hard blow that could break a camel's back. Those who remain in this system either collapse or become indifferent. Indeed, given the turbulent realities of recent years, we cannot drive the necessary changes.
4. Loss of relevance for students. This future generation is the customer of the education system and the purpose for which it exists, but the system seems to have forgotten that for a long time.
Five. If you hover your mouse over this system, helicopter parentarmed with the sword of criticism and the whip of communication, laments the defective education of children.
Deploying traditional technology is the road to nowhere
Outside the walls of the education system, the developed world sees the introduction of new technologies as the key to solving problems, developing innovative methodologies, and creating relatively rapid and scalable change. Indeed, technology tools sound like a logical direction to transform system graduates into potential employees ready for the future that awaits them. But conflicts arise when technological approaches collide with the education system.
The integration of learning technologies and digital methodologies in today's classrooms often involves teachers acting as intermediaries. These educators are expected to acquire technical skills, create TikTok videos, experiment with AI tools, and generate reports from various dashboards. But is there really a need for an intermediary between students and technology? Does comparative assessment even make sense in an age when technology can accurately measure individual progress? Moreover, in a world where much of it is lifelong learning. Can outdated teacher training programs that have lost their meaning adequately prepare educators to lead advanced digital learning? It’s time to rethink traditional hierarchical models that put teachers at the center of learning. is coming.
As always, the solution is right around the corner
Let's start with what doesn't work.
There is no reason to abandon technology in the classroom, as recently decided in Sweden. Sweden was once considered an educational pioneer, but in recent years it has suffered from a decline in student performance. Students need to feel comfortable in this world, and removing technology from the classroom will harm vulnerable populations and widen inequality. However, the educational community, not only in Israel but around the world, does not feel secure in the realm of technology, so it applies outdated perceptions and its starting assumptions either fail or are affirmed. I mean, I tried technology in the classroom and it didn't work. This is the same as saying, “I tried some food, but I didn't like it, so I stopped eating it.”
There are many facets to technology in the classroom, but one thing is clear: it doesn't necessarily require an intermediary. You should choose a tool that aligns with your current learning goals, conduct a pilot, evaluate your progress against those goals, solicit feedback from students, and repeat the process. We can then focus on the most important aspect of this transformation: the redefinition of the teacher's role. People who consider education a calling enjoy the opportunity to understand students' needs and provide solutions. They have empathy, compassion, assimilation skills, plenty of patience, and the ability to delicately balance encouragement and challenge. However, many people who enter the field of education for these reasons find it increasingly unfulfilling.
Imagine technology tools being operated without intermediaries, effortlessly used by students whose screens are an extension of their hands, and technology seamlessly integrated into their thought processes. These students are natural digital natives with an innate ability to navigate within technology, so why not give them that power? Sharpen your pitch with ChatGPT Or? By all means! Looking to enhance your presentations with MidJourney? Absolutely! Need to manage your teamwork by Monday? Go ahead, you'll be fine! The approach to technology lies with the student, and the observation of the process and its results lies with the teacher. Best of all, being freed from bureaucratic constraints and outdated hierarchies frees up valuable time and space for teachers to engage with students on a personal level, allowing them to bring all their expertise and passion to the classroom. You will be able to demonstrate your abilities.
In these times, more than ever, we must hold fast to this vision.
Yael Shafrir is a startup founder, strategy and marketing specialist, and founder and CEO of ReShuffle. ReShuffle is a platform for learning English while exploring and developing your interests.