Synthesis Paper #2

 In 2025, the role of schooling may have changed dramatically.  One of the changes would be educating students with experts as experts.  Gardner mentions in his book, "Five minds for the Future" about each student having a specific discipline or expertise.  As more time goes on, I also notice this discipline becoming more important. Maybe at one point in time, it was good to be well rounded (in different talents) and be average to above average in a wide range of fields, however, that idea is changing-- to value talents in expertise in one specific field than many.  When we apply this concept to our present state, we see Tiger Woods in great success because he was a golf expert and we see Michael Phelps because he mastered one field or sport.  In 2025, we will see more of these individuals with specific expertise in many more fields.  Perhaps in some fields we may not know right now.  The responsibility of schooling will be to find these talents in each student and to nurture them to be the best at what they are good in.  

Another role of schooling will be to make these students into global beings that are able to think outside of the box.  One way to aid this training is to see different parts of the world and experience different cultures.  This will also help the students to be more "respectful" and "ethical" (Gardner).  Instead of just seeing these experiences on youtube or the TV, they will be able to be in that country of discussion to gain first hand knowledge.  In the future, distances will be shortened and there will be no place inaccessible.  We're not looking at just a longer type of field trip but a change in the learning paradigm.  

One of the authentic learning experiences that teachers can employ to engage all students in learning is to use thematic instruction (Beane, Kovalik).  This helps students by making connections to the individual student with real life experiences or things of the real world.  It seems like one of the questions we all had growing up as students was "why do we need to learn this"? "How does learning this help me in real life?"  If students were to be taught in a thematic instruction classroom, they would already know the answers to these questions.  This type of instruction if well planned can basically make a two-dimensional education to a three-dimensional learning.  Research shows that thematic instruction will help students make connections easier for the brain to integrate new information.  In the future, there will be ample amount of information, it'll be important for teachers to help students to take in the information they need the most.  

Other learning experiences teachers can employ to further engage students is using small groups, effective use of technology, getting out of the school setting and into the local areas, using multiple intelligences, real-world applications, and providing choices for students amongst others.  It's important to help make connections for the students. Each student has an interest, it'll be vital for the teacher to find out what that may be, especially for those students that might be otherwise left out and help establish some type of connection.