Schools are the stepping stone for a student’s knowledge journey. From preschools to higher secondary classes, they learn about the fundamentals of the world. Right from learning letters in the alphabet to learning the atomic levels of an object, the education system is vast. Now the most widely accepted education system in the world is the K-12 Education system.
K-12 education refers to kindergarten to class 12th education system consisting of primary, kindergarten, secondary, high school, and pre-university classes. Though this education system has been widely accepted and running for centuries, there are some serious drawbacks that require questioning this system. Moreover, with the advancement in technology, the way education is imparted is changing gradually.
In this article we will go through some of the major challenges the K-12 education system is facing and how technology is helping overcome them.
One-size-fits-all approach
The school curriculum is designed in a way that it fails to cater to the personalized learning needs of students. The one-size-fits-all approach has been the most pressing concern in the K-12 education system. It is one of the main reasons behind the achievement gap. Gifted minds feel confined in these rigid structures while struggling students fall much behind average ones.
Solution: With the use of technology, both teaching and learning can be personalized. Now students can learn at their own pace and as many times as they want. With learning on-demand, they can clearly understand the intricate concepts and also won’t be shy to ask doubts ‘n’ number of times which is not possible in traditional classrooms.
Outdated Teaching Methods
Another big challenge in traditional classrooms is outdated teaching methods that require rote learning and memorization of what is being taught and this system often fails to engage students or enhance their critical thinking skills.
Solution: With the use of technology, traditional classrooms can be converted into modern smart classrooms consisting of interactive whiteboards, and educational apps. It will promote learning, and encourage students' problem-solving skills, and creativity. It will also help to make lessons more dynamic catering to diverse learning styles.
Unequal Educational Access
It is a sad reality but inequality still persists in the K-12 education system where economically backward students are deprived of proper learning resources and opportunities.
Solution: Well, for this problem technology has a little to help as with proper device and internet connection students can interestingly learn anything. But more has to be done from Policymaker’s end. They must prioritize equal distribution of funds to ensure all schools have high-quality teachers and learning materials.
Gauging Professional Development
Often there are several teacher training programs being conducted in educational institutions to upskill the teachers and keep them updated about the most effective methods, many teachers take additional classes to advance in their careers. This makes tracking their achievements and micro-credentials difficult.
Solution: By using a single platform to track the professional development of teachers, this problem can be eliminated. It will also help teachers explore different learning opportunities in the platform apart from tracking their achievements.
Teacher Recruitment and Retention
K-12 education is highly prone to a lack of qualified and motivated teachers who can bring transformation to the education system and foster the kids who will be shaping the world in the future. In addition, low salaries, a difficult working environment, and a lack of professional development opportunities sometimes lead to teacher burnout and higher attrition.
Solution: Institutes can offer attractive salaries, online training, and development programs, and should develop a supportive work environment. Also, recognizing and celebrating the teacher’s contribution can help boost their morale and job satisfaction.
Low Involvement of Parents
During the schooling period, parents should pay as much attention to students as their teachers do. Several reasons factor non-involvement of parents in their child’s education. Be it a more demanding job, living in different places, or not paying much attention to their kids, the reasons could be many. In the K-12 education system, this has a major impact as it can discourage students from seeing their parents not involved in their achievements.
Though parent-teacher meetings happen in schools, it is nothing more than just a formality. A huge number of parents do not attend, and those who attend don’t get enough time to discuss their ward’s progress
Solution: Online education provides a great resource to participate in a child’s learning journey.
Conclusion
The old education system has been running for quite a long time. But with the advancement in technology, the rise of the internet, and the introduction of Artificial Intelligence technologies, the learning experience has become much better. Not only that teachers can now explain concepts easily with modern interactive technologies. In the future, we can see a huge change in the curriculum, learning methods, and the way knowledge sharing is done. And technology will only have a greater role to play in this transformation.