Dear diary,
When we observe the educational system as a whole, we can come to one conclusion: nothing has changed in education since its beginnings. We can talk about the development of methodology, the introduction of pedagogy and its elements into the learning process, but the most common method used in classrooms is still traditional: the book as the primary source of information and the teacher as the holder of knowledge.
Although the educational system is oriented towards active learning and attempts to place the student at the center of learning, shifting the focus away from the teacher, these changes occur rarely and sporadically, usually only in some classes, rather than throughout an entire course or academic year for a particular subject.
There are teaching and learning standards and outcomes for each subject that serve as a guide for teachers in planning their curriculum. There are also prescribed contents set by relevant institutions, but the mechanisms of their implementation are poorly monitored and not sufficiently visible. Planning often involves mindlessly copying old plans without introducing any innovation. If any change occurs, it is usually unplanned, spontaneous, and inspired by an event in the classroom.
To bring about innovation, it is necessary to emphasize the possibilities brought by the application of modern methodologies and new approaches to learning, and to inspire teachers to explore and change their teaching approaches. However, reaching the teachers is crucial.
If we consider that social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have experienced incredible expansion in the last decade, we will see that they have become the most important places for exchanging experiences, opinions, and ideas. They often serve as gathering places for large numbers of like-minded individuals who exchange information. Teacher groups on Facebook, such as the „Velika zbornica – grupa prosvetnih radnika“ (Great Assembly – a group of educational workers), have 29,568 members. This number is not insignificant, and the group itself could serve as a good channel to reach a large number of teachers working in the education system.
Additionally, there are individuals with a large number of followers who, we could say, enjoy a great reputation within these teacher circles. They should be the focal point through which such information about modern approaches to education can be delivered.
However, how can we define a modern approach? What is worth conveying to teachers and how can we motivate them to further explore?
Resourses:
Ehlers, U.D. (2020). Future skills: The future of learning in higher education, Nextskills, [online] p.
53-59. Available at: https://nextskills.org/library/future-skills/
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