How can learning conditions in schools be improved?

Posted by Jill Spencer on September 28, 2021September 28, 2021

I support an inclusive environment in and out of the classroom where every student feels safe, welcomed, and empowered within an environment conducive to best learning outcomes.

We need to teach our students how to think and learn in addition to teaching curriculum. We need lifelong learners who can adapt to changes and develop new skills as demands and needs evolve. We have seen firsthand the importance of scientific understanding and advancement within our everyday lives and in response to society’s big problems. This starts in elementary school if not sooner, where we provide hands-on experience where knowledge is applied not just learned.

Encouraging students to participate in such activities as the Science Fair, Science Olympics, and Robotics clubs and competitions provide hands-on experience where technology is applied not just learned. There are so many resources readily available, many at very minimal expense, that we should have no problem finding the resources needed to provide opportunities for students to be exposed to exciting new technology with real-world applications.

At the University, I use and develop some specialized technology, and part of this use is training students on how to use these tools to solve problems and create new things.

From my experience as a post-secondary educator, two skills are paramount, the ability to take a task and break it up into smaller pieces, and having a solid mathematical and analytical foundation.

Compare technology to a toolbox. There may be screwdrivers, hammers, saws, tape measures, and a variety of other tools, and you need to know what the tools do to use them, but you need to know more than just what is in the toolbox to be able to do something useful. Our district cannot just introduce the toolbox to students, but needs to encourage students to apply the various tools that we have to solve problems and do new things.