Going Forward

One pseudo advantage for education is that competition is controlled. To start a school or bring innovation to an existing school has been controlled by the system up to the politicians. Customers just cannot afford to go elsewhere. Restrictions to those employed as teachers has been tightened to certified teachers which is controlled within the same system in the name of standards. Every so often there is a push for more controlled restrictions limiting who is employed and what can be done by schools. Recently this has changed a little with the development of academies and free schools which allow other methods of management, which may give flexibility to how they are run. Many of the barriers and restrictions may now be challenged. When innovation is allowed and produces results then change may be divested throughout the industry. Universities may have the first problem though as fixed 3 years+ degrees only fit so many people. There are many jobs that value experience as included in apprenticeships that means 3 years is too long to not gain experience. Other industries have dynamic pressures that cannot allow people to become out of date. Many degrees are out of date by the time of completion.

Customers will look for better alternatives and make demands on the existing system which may now be met. Flexibility for individuals rather than herd teaching will become a major force for change. Others may also fill gaps. In many industries the cherry picking profitable areas has occurred, post 16 years education is most vulnerable.

Technology already has the ability to individualise some areas of education. Online and other CBT courses with video lectures (can be re-watched where lecturers cannot repeat anywhere near as much). There are also packages that include questions where some will not let you move to the next level till you have got 10 questions in a row right. This allows those with pre-existing knowledge or who pick up quick to progress faster. Those who are struggling can be seen (via IT system) and flagged where assistance can be given. Another factor is that computer based system can include analysis of problems and allow continuous improvement that teachers cannot do at present. Reducing the sticking points that learners commonly experience and also analysing the solutions to the sticking points and improving progress.

This model already exists in the Khan Academy with a lot of academic subjects. Other online teaching by teachers is already available. Home schooling can provide much that is done in a school in less time and less stress for the learner. Other organisations may fill the other functions not covered by ICT. Only the official qualification needs to be set (some areas have this already e.g.s. IT: Microsoft, Cisco courses etc.).

Restricting teachers to those who are academic for many subjects is an ill-judged limit. I have met people teaching without any qualifications and some number amongst the best at teaching. I have been taught much by people who do not share the same language and even people who make up their own (dumpf is not a regular (Oxbridge do not teach it anyway) word but made the point perfectly). When teachers have small groups rather than a crowd of 20, 30+, then many elements are easier to control. Also teachers can stick to their specialisms and strengths, rather than having discipline and group learning and institutional tasks being the major tasks or the covering of other subjects.

Also being able to proceed at an individuals own pace and not at a groups pace will be advantageous for most learners at different times. Some learners can progress much faster than the rest of the group can. Others need to follow their strengths or follow tangents of interest. Some standard assessments that meet real applied levels both for the real world but also for academia. These can be taken when a learner is ready not at a fixed time and age. As long as a learner has enough proof of ability when the proof is needed, the time and order can be more flexible. With more flexibility, when a learner has achieved in their strength they will have more skills and confidence when they attempt their weaker areas. An example maybe where a student finds languages easier and interesting they could develop these skills early on and could specialise in these and later look at important areas that they did not have clear ability or interest. Those that find languages difficult can have a go early on with no pressure and move onto their strengths, rather than wasting time with little progress. If languages are more relevant later, then with progress in their strengths, a greater understanding of themselves, learning and the world they will have a better chance to progress. To become fluent in a foreign language is best done by starting very early. Fluency though is only needed by a small portion of people where as language skills with an accent may be sufficient for the majority.

As well as computer based training (CBT), technology will follow military training with simulation training. The most obvious example are the flight simulators that cost a fraction of flying fighter jets. They increase all the time the scope of training and practice they can provide. Many areas of military training and practice now have simulator options such as vehicles, equipment but also reality simulators for soldier and officer roles and situations. This allows adaptable training for when it might not be safe or for problems that are rare can be prepared for at less cost with higher standards and more repetitions. Along with computer game development and reduced technology size and relative cost more options will appear. This will appear for teaching, practice and assessment closer to real world usage rather than class room isolation.

Much progress has already been made that will be re-purposed for education possibly outside of educational establishments in industry and commercial organisations particularly if state education system fails to progress. Cost savings are a prime motivation but hopefully a quality motivation could be encouraged.