During the 2007 Technology Convention in LA hosted by the CUE, or Computer Using Educators organization, there were numerous presentations on many, different topics. One such topic was that education in the 21st century was all antiquated. The presenter described a vision where students would be able to connect their social lives to school, by taking out their cell phones and calling someone if they didn't know the answer. This presenter's idea was outrageous to some, considering the amount of technology already going into educational purposes. But, even with all the computers, wireless networks, and projectors, one cannot deny that the state of education is in a precarious situation. With the many uses for money nowadays, administrators are finding more needs to fill.
In schools across California, teachers are finding that their once brilliant salaries have been reduced to a state where one student cannot go to school without thinking of protesting teachers. The many needs that have been replaced once simple school essentials, such as paper, books, pencils, and chalk, have blossomed. Schools now require more allowances to take care of infestation problems, structural damage, old technology, and classroom needs. This leaves fewer tax dollars to help older, higher performing schools to keep current teacher salaries. Furthermore, the raises given to more experienced teachers have dried up, leaving some teachers to wonder about their futures. However, this isn't the only deficiency the education field has; other fields include that of waning student interests.
In a society where the normal activities are shopping, playing games, and driving, students are finding a lesser interest in schools and their education. This deficiency can cause a loss in attention and thereby, failure in classes and grades. When asked though, many high school students point out that they only attend school because of the law. Most students will simply not state that they enjoy the amount of learning and memorizing passed down from generation to generation. This is partially due to the different techniques teachers have been using. For example, a history teacher requiring notes on every lecture and giving speeches for a whole school year differs from another teacher who allows the class to learn through activities and experience. If the environment introduced is a well though up one, students will naturally pay more attention.
However, much a student is presented with an engaging situation, or teachers faced with eminent raises are helpful to the education field, the opinion of the discipline will not differ much. This is because past sentiments have told people both the pros of having a good education and the cons of the system. Still, the future of the field can change with the slightest of additions, which may be a turn for the better.
