Decades Later We are Still Where We Were

After watching 7 Skills Students Need for Their Future by Tony Wagner (2009) and The Seven Essential Life Skills by Ellen Galinksy (2013), I came across some common threads that tie them both together. The first thread is that there is a deficit in our current educational process. They both ascertained that children enter formal schooling with "curiosity" (Wagner, 2009) and "fire for learning" (Galinksy, 2013), but leave with less instead of more, and that is a problem. The second thread is that content, the "what" is being taught is important, but the "how" (Galinksy) the content learning is achieved and what "competencies" (Wagner) are grown are more important. Those "how" skills should have a focus using the content as a catalyst. Some other threads Wagner and Galinsky both emphasize are the importance of critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. However, Wagner places more emphasis on collaboration, leadership, and initiative, while Galinsky focuses more on self-control, perspective-taking, and lifelong learning.  It's interesting to note that while Wagner is coming from a place

Throughout our Applied Digital Learning and Leadership graduate program, a disruptive innovation plan has been at the center. How can we take our new learning and apply it within the educational structures that currently exist to improve learning? According to Wagner, you need to do the new work in new ways. Galinksy observed that engagement is one of the major predictors of productivity. So ultimately, innovation is about solving problems and creating new value. The skills that students need to be successful innovators are the same skills that they need to be successful in any field. By understanding these skills, you can better develop strategies for measuring and promoting innovation. By using the newly developed strategies you have a chance for increased engagement and enhanced productivity. When you use the content as a catalyst for the desired competencies, the result is comprehensive learning. 

These videos were filmed a decade ago, yet the educational landscape has largely remained unchanged. The areas where our currently educational system is failing have been identified and explored. There are many researched based solutions that are all in agreement of the current failings as well as the proposed changes that could be viable solutions. My question remains-what is everyone afraid of? The system, as is, cannot continue to do what we have always done with the expectation of different results. What was at one point considered innovative during the industrial revolution clearly served our needs to the advancement of our country. However, our learner's needs have changed along with our country's needs. Other countries appear to adapt and change alongside the changing needs. Who's to say America can't start with a different researched based model used in a different country and try it on a large scale? There is SO much current research available on learning. The worst case scenario is that if the model we try doesn't work, there are many others to choose from! As Roy T. Bennett says, “The one who falls and gets up is stronger than the one who never tried. Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying.”

"Isolation is the enemy of improvement." (Wagner, 2009) Come on America-we've been isolated in the educational journey long enough. I'm rooting for you! It's time to collaborate, and try something new.

References

Galinksy, E. (2013, July 17). The seven essential life skills [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/SdIkQnTy6jA?si=5fdDAFnjeKnqbKmy

Wagner, T. (2011, September 15). 7 Skills Students Need for Their Future [Video]. YouTube. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS2PqTTxFFc