chapter 5

I am finding it difficult to write about these last couple chapters. I’m just not sure that I am really seeing the connection or the relevance to our major. The only thing that I got from this chapter really is that nowadays people are learning in many different ways including home schooling, workplace learning, distance education, learning centers, televisions, and video/computer games. As more ways to learn become available, the need of a public school system seems less important. I guess in order for public schools to remain necessary, they are going to have to change. For example, they need to incorporate technology and train people in specific skills that are needed for desired careers. So far schools have taught a set of information and have focused more on rote memorization, but now we have the internet and we can search for information as we need it. We now need to learn more about the process of learning; finding information and applying it. I don’t think that this new way of viewing education is going to change early childhood education very much. As early childhood educators, we focus a lot of our time with the students on developing language skills, social skills, and fine and gross motor skills. Obviously the reading, writing, and basic arithmetic skills that we teach to young children is something that they are going to need to know regardless of the way that education is changing. Basically what I am trying to say is that I don’t believe our role as early childhood educators is going to change all that much. I do think it’s important to add more technology into the classroom since our society is heading in the direction of using technology for pretty much everything. I also believe we should be teaching young children problem solving skills and critical thinking skills rather than facts.