COLUMN: A Formula for Accelerated Education

Twenty-first-century students agree: The education system is not keeping up with them. Public schools do no more than roughly brush over the basic skills needed for a decent life. We, the new generation, need enlightenment that is customized for our path. We need education that applies to the individual and not the majority.

Thinking in 0s and 1s

Technology shapes our lives. We rarely send letters; we send e-mails instead. To get this magazine into your hands, it took more than brainpower -- it also took computing power to process it. So, why don't schools teach us about the fundamentals of computer science? Why are there students born into the technology era who do not know how to power on a computer? Most schools do not offer a computer course for students due to the increased cost. By budgeting and forming a plan, the community and students' future will benefit.

But even with the appropriate resources in place, the problem is not solved. Say your school does have a computer lab. It does have computers. It has the top-of-the-line software and hardware. Why isn't every student using the computer? Well, the computer course is usually an elective. This needs to change. Computer science should be a required course.

Students need to learn about technology in order to survive in this time. Since the birth of computer technology, many jobs have appeared and people's lives have improved. Technology also created a new realm of communication, which is essential to education. With e-mail, instant messaging and other forms of communication, the community has accelerated to the extent that homework is submitted and monitored online, and teachers teach via Internet.

It takes more than a keyboard

To put it simply, students aren't motivated. That's why they don't put their heart and soul into their work. They treat it as disgusting but necessary material. There needs to be motivation in order to accelerate the education system. School should be made fun. As an example of an entertaining way to learn, in my Latin class, we play Latin games in order to help us memorize parts of speech. For me, this method is extremely valuable. We usually compete for extra credit points as well ? more motivation.

Motivation not only makes the students happier, but it makes the teachers happier. The more content everyone is in school, the easier it is to learn. Students will want to go to school instead of despising it. Schools can measure their success by the number of students attending class. This is a clear indication of motivated students.

Hear the music, feel the beat

Many students, including myself, are interested in music. The sad thing is that most schools have music programs that do not appeal to the majority. Most people don't dream of growing up to be a famous trombone player. They dream of being rock stars, pop stars and modern-music makers. For some reason, the decision-makers in the education system don't understand this. I know what it is like to be a drummer who is stuck in a school that only offers orchestra instruments.

Music is also essential to student morale because it helps young people express themselves. Schools continue to invest in more expensive instruments instead of the cheaper ones that students are interested in. By putting money toward modern music classes, the students will be happier -- even more motivation.

A digitized experience

Although I think that the education system addresses learning with a narrow perspective, my views for the ideal education are also restricted. I believe that everything should be digitized and all subjects should have a technological component. Social studies, math, science and language arts should be cross-curricular with technology. This is crucial to accelerating education and reforming the school system.

The first measure is to digitize the report card. Teachers should post grades online, giving students and parents easy access to information. This is also a way to get students to take responsibility for monitoring their learning development and making improvements.

My second measure deals with note taking. Writing down notes is unnecessary, boring and tiring, especially when teachers could create a class podcast instead. The podcast method is convenient because students can review their notes from anywhere if they have an MP3 player. This would allow students to review class material without cutting down trees, and they can pay better attention in class while the teacher is lecturing.

My final measure is for parents to have webcam access to the classroom. This is important because parents should be able to monitor the teacher's mode of instruction, and they can better understand their child's learning style. This transparency is a key to success in the classroom.

All of these steps will impact the education system. Not only will it make the students happier, it will also allow for more learning in a smaller amount of time. This is beneficial to everyone, including the teachers. Technology and modernization will produce happier learners and teachers. With this system, students will learn the same content from the past with the ability to fuel the future.

Student info
Eldon Schoop, 13
Freshman at New Heights Preparatory School, Northridge, Calif.

*This story is from Converge magazine's Fall 2008 issue.