Lifelong learning skills
Today information technology has become a dominating force in every aspect of society, including education. As teachers are adapting technology to be used in the classroom such as using laptops, access to the Internet, set up Powerpoint slides, preparing course websites etc., many have not pay attention to the most important factor: “How to develop the lifelong learning skill for students.”
The problem with technology is it changes very fast which means students need a learning method that can keep pace with changes. Traditional method of lecturing, rote memorization and passing exams are no longer valid. Students need to learn new things and new technologies quickly as they come and be able to apply them immediately. They cannot continue to memorize materials anymore as there are so much that will overwhelm them. Today most information can be found on the Internet so there is no need to memorize because with just a few mouse clicks, students can get what they want. What they really need is to apply what they know, build their skills then continue to do that for the rest of their lives. The Active learning method focus on teaching students to find the information that they need, evaluate them for relevancy, analyze them, synthesize them from multiple sources, and communicate their understandings to the teachers for evaluation. These are valuable skills that every student need, regardless of what field of study or type of work that they do because most future works are knowledge works where workers must find the right information, analyze them, organize them and communicate them to others.
In Active learning classroom, students are responsible for their own learning as course materials are provided outside of classroom via website or textbooks where they must learn prior to coming to the class. Class time is used mostly for discussions, debates, and teamworks under guidance of the teachers. Students learn by discuss and working in teams to apply what they know to solve problems similar to “real problems” in the workplace. Students learn by asking “What happens”, “Why it happens”, “Why this works?” and “Why that does not work?” They learn to investigate the problem by conduct research to find more information or related problems as well as solutions. By learning on their own, students can see the value of the course materials and how they can use it in their lives. Instead of memorize academic concepts and theories as in the tradition education; they learn to solve problems similar to real situations that they must solve in their lives. It is important for teachers to explain this new approach to encourage students to learn more so they are ready for future's jobs. It is also important for the school to develop better collaboration with the industries to make sure their trainings are relevance so students can get the knowledge and skills they need for their career prospective. The goal of active learning method is to provide the best possible match between the learning opportunities and the knowledge and skills needed by the job market to benefit the country's economy and society.
Lifelong learning is the continuation to learn even after they leave school. It covers the whole range of learning from formal learning in a classroom to informal learning by reading books; watch educational videos or taking online courses etc. The investment in time and effort for new knowledge and skills will brings more benefits both to individuals and to society. Currently we are in the transition from industrial age to the information age and knowledge is the key asset for economic grows because the global economy is based on the creation, and utilization of knowledge. In this global world, education is viewed as the foundation for everything. In the past, reading, writing, and arithmetic are the fundamental skills but today beside these three skills, lifelong learning skill that allows people to seek information and develop knowledge has become the fourth essential skill. To prepare students for their future, education systems must focus on develop this new skill to all students and teachers need to promote this new skill and prepare all students to be responsible for their own lifelong learning.
In this competitive global economy, the foundation of a national defense is a good education. To survive and to grow the economy, every country must improve its education and provide their citizens with the knowledge, skills, attitude as well as moral characters such as integrity and ethics. Education is the best investment that government can do in this fast changing world.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
