EDUCATION
SPECIAL SECTION:
PRE-K – HIGH SCHOOL
The first public school opened in the United States in 1635,
and the Boston Latin School remains the nation’s oldest public
school. Early education didn’t focus on math or science, but
on the virtues of family, religion and community. Nearly 400
years later, schools are harnessing the fundamental principles
of community, and although it may look very different in this
day and age, a strong focus is being put on the importance of
creating a safe school culture and tapping into technology for
limitless learning.
In 2019, students, parents, teachers, and administrators are
seeing changes both inside and outside of the classroom. One
of the biggest changes in recent years comes in the form of
technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to change
education tools and is expected to increase in implementation in
U.S. classrooms by 47.5% in the next three years, according to the
Artificial Intelligence Market in the U.S. Education Sector report.
In addition to AI, other technologies are providing students with
the opportunity to connect with classmates in other countries,
giving teachers the ability to educate a virtual classroom from
the comfort of their own home, and expanding access to
applications that were once inaccessible.
Another key focus in education this year is on ensuring
that students feel safe, connected, supported, and challenged
through a variety of different ways. School culture and safety
are being addressed and adapted based on recent school safety
concerns across the country. Teachers, administrators, families,
and community groups are putting a critical focus on social-
emotional learning activities to facilitate a better look into dealing
with anger management, conflict resolution, empathy, and other
important life skills. School is often the only place where social
and emotional learning deficiencies can be addressed; therefore
teaching students these invaluable life skills ultimately prepares
them to become active members of society. This is another
pivotal point in a teacher’s role in the classroom.
Teachers continue to play an integral role in the lives of
students, one that cannot be replaced with even the most
advanced type of technology. This isn’t to say that the way
we taught even 15 years ago is suitable. Teachers’ roles are
continually changing, and their need to adapt is critical to
students’ success. School administrators must also support and
train educators with the tools and techniques they are being
given to ensure successful integration in the classroom.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
It was recently reported that teenagers spend nine hours a day
with technology. Whether in the form of social media, listening
to music, playing games, or texting with friends, technology
plays an integral role in their lives. Educators have taken note and
are now reaching teenagers where they are spending a majority
of their time. Digital tools are providing teachers with the
opportunity to incorporate personalized learning to students
in a way that benefits them. For example, AI is being used to
allow for greater individualized and differentiated learning to be
conducted by teachers. Applications that provide learning and
testing for students can identify opportunities for them to excel,
flag potential gaps in understanding, and provide feedback on
learning progress.
One exciting feature that will dramatically enhance technology
capabilities in the classroom is the integration of 5G technology.
Predicted to be ubiquitous by 2020, 5G technology allows for
data speeds almost 1,000 percent faster than 4G, empowering
educators with the ability to provide a seamless platform for
limitless learning. 5G will allow for applications to run without
fail or interruption, download speeds to increase dramatically,
and a significantly greater number of devices to be able to
connect without delays. Just another exciting way technology is
expected to enhance learning.
EARLY EDUCATION
The next generation is starting to have children. This generation
grew up in the 1980s and early 1990s, when televisions were “old
news” and computers were just starting to creep into people’s
homes. Gen Yers, as they’ve been named, can still vividly
remember the sound of the dial-up tone as they anticipated
the number of emails that would rush into their inbox once the
modem finally connected. For these new parents, the answer to
any question is, and almost always was, just a click away. These
parents are aware of the benefits of early childhood learning and
of the plethora of options available to them. In addition, shifting
demographic patterns, with an increase in two working parents
and single-parent households, are calling for affordable options
for child care.
As the importance and positive impact that early childhood
education has on toddlers is realized, the demand for early
education options continues to increase and expand offerings. A
few key focus areas have been identified as important initiatives
that will shape the young minds of the future, including early
literacy, technology in the classroom, and emotional, cognitive,
social early learning (ECSEL).
Early literacy teaches children letter recognition, word sounds,
vocabulary, and awareness of storytelling. Each of these key
fundamental elements helps lay the groundwork for success in
reading in the future. Early literacy programs can also be found at
local libraries as a way for parents to engage their children even if
they are not enrolled in a preschool program.
Technology is something our children must learn and
understand to succeed today. But it is important for technology
in the classroom to be used properly and not abused. Early
childhood educators are combining technologies with other
types of play and hands-on activities to get the most out of the
tools available to them. Such tools allow for young learners
to work cooperatively on learning activities with the use of
technology to enhance their lessons.
ECSEL focuses on teaching children how to understand and
manage emotions to become more confident, resilient, and
understanding, which are all critical to the success of a young
learner. Laying the foundation to build an early understanding
of feelings and emotions allows children to better recognize
emotions in others and how to cope with them. These valuable
life skills add a tremendous amount of value to a young child’s
understanding of healthy relationships with his/her peers. ■
PLUM
❘
FALL 2019
27