Including a research paper doesn't appear to be super exciting for a blog entry. Often entries are much shorter, funny as a story unfolds, and include an experience regarding the subject of the post. In this case, I've included the paper because of how much the economy influences education and why it's important to modify the approach to education to reflect the needs of the workplace.
As I began to read the assignment requirements for this research paper, I must admit my reservations. It has been quite some time since I've written a research paper! Fortunately, the possible topics were of high interest to me and narrowing down the options became the tricky part. Technology is ever-changing and advancing to it was exciting to see where education is heading. The more I researched my topics of PBL and makerspaces, in particular, the more I found my research going back in time.
The main trend that I found consistent throughout history is that education reflects what is happening in the economy. For example, during the agriculture age, emphasis was placed on farming techniques: fertilization, irrigation, crop movement, etc. Then when industry was king, skilled labor was highly valued and encouraged. Now that we're in a time where information is readily available, value is placed on being able to collaborate, problem solve, and think critically.
Education is now trending towards emphasizing those components to make a well-rounded learner. Real word situations and problem solving allows students to implement the higher level thinking that aligns to 21st Century skills. Because technology updates at such a rapid pace, it can be difficult for schools (especially in remote locations) to stay current. Educators need to also adapt their lessons to include these societal expectations. Taking on the facilitator role rather than 'sage on the stage' is where teachers should find themselves.
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