Each week Nick O' Shiel, Chief Executive, Omagh Enterprise Company, blogs on issues related to enterprise, technology and the economy. This week Nick discusses learning and education.
The origins of education lie to a large extent inside the military, as it trained people to follow orders and be compliant. The industrial revolution required similar people for the smooth operation of the assembly line. Even consumers were encouraged to behave in predictable ways and buy the same products to suit the efficiency of the factory.
Education was organised to teach students in groups and served its purpose for many years but its purpose has changed and so must it.
The traditional approach to education is being replaced by a more flexible approach to learning that provides tailored solutions for students.
Traditionally, when a student clashed with the system they were expected to change to suit the system rather than the system change to suit them.
The system worked for people who could sit still for hours at a time and memorise what they were taught; but for many others it didn’t work.
Universities, schools and teachers were the conduit for information, whereas, information is now available to anyone with access to the internet.
In a similar way, the value of knowing something is becoming less important, as information on any subject is easily found.
The job of education today is to encourage students to ask the right questions, as teachers no longer need to provide all the answers.
Years of research have shown that learners who find answers for themselves learn and retain more than if they are simply given the answers.
The education system needs to not only analyse test results but also understand how learning happens and how to make it happen more often and for more people.
Such understanding is happening in many areas like sports and health, as information is collected and used to improve individual performance.
Learning in the future will be targeted to suit the student and delivered through a mix of on-line and off-line methods.
Technology will allow students to work at their own pace to achieve their potential, while enabling the system to learn and better serve them.
Education tests students on predictable static material and prepares them for a world that no longer exists.
Learning tests students on live dynamic knowledge and prepares them for a world that is being created.
SO, learning is about to replace education as the traditional system is no longer fit for purpose and needs to change.
What do you think?
Is learning about to replace education?
Join the conversation and leave a comment.
I look forward to your comments.
Nick O'Shiel,
Omagh Enterprise
Great Northern Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, BT78 5LU
Tel: +44 (0) 28 8224 9494 Fax: +44 (0) 28 8224 9451
Email: Nicholas.Oshiel@omaghenterprise.co.uk
Website: www.omaghenterprise.co.uk
SAGE 50 Accounts Stage 3 training
CIDO Innovation Centre tenants Mary Mackle Accountants/Thyme Training are hosting Official Sage 50 Accounts Stage 3 Training provided by Sage UK trainers at the i2 Innovation Centre.
This two day course helps you master the tools you need to take control of your stock and orders, including trading overseas.
Learn everything you need to know about managing a stock control system and processing sales and purchase orders. This course also covers sales invoices and credit notes, quotes and pro forma invoices, as well as foreign trading and Intrastat reports.
Dates: Thursday 11th and Friday 12th September
Official Sage Price £633+VAT
Thyme Training price £450+VAT
Book by Thursday 4th September to receive an additional £60 discount.
To register please contact Thyme Training directly on 028 38392999 or info@thymetraining.com
AUTOMATIC ENROLMENT SEMINAR
CIDO Innovation Centre tenants Mary Mackle Accountants/Thyme Training are hosting an Automatic Enrolment Seminar on Thursday 4th September 2014 at the i2 Innovation Centre.
Time: 9.30am - 1pm
AUTOMATIC ENROLMENT SEMINAR
PRESENTED BY SAGE
Automatic Enrolment is a key part of the Workplace Pension Reform, it means you'll need to automatically enrol certain members of your workforce into a pension scheme, and you'll need to make a contribution towards it.
The law has already come into force for large employers with smaller employers following over the next six years.
Register now to reserve your space to find out your business's staging date and what you need to have in place before then.
COST £50+VAT
REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED
To register please contact Thyme Training directly on 028 38392999 or info@thymetraining.com
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2pm - 4.30pm
FREE DEMONSTRATIONS PRESENTED BY SAGE
Free demonstrations of Sage One, New Sage 50 Accounts and Sage Payroll.
Sage expert Ben Huston will be available to answer your queries.
