Lesson 4: Bridging the Generation Gap

CONTENT

The manifestation of change is fast experienced by the entire society. Various functional components of the social context have been explicitly adopting to the changes being imposed along with the innovations being encouraged by human creativity. Education, as one of the most valued aspects of society is seen to have been actively engaged in these changes that are particularly fashioned by certain technological advancements.

Education, just like the rest of the world, is dynamic. Adopting to certain changes is admittedly effort-taking and at times, would certainly require a lot of emotional and psychological preparation. Traditional teachers are having a hard time in coping up with the major changes in the educational system, as being demanded by the needs of the current generation (ICT generation) and era (computer era). With this, a generation gap is formed – addressing a challenge to the modern educational arrangement. How would we adopt to this? How would the traditional education administrators respond to the immediate demands of modernization?

Embracing what’s new would mean giving up what’s old. The chalk and board technique (for example) may had become essential for traditional learners but may appear boring to those of the modern classrooms. The learners’ learning styles are becoming more visually demanding. Most of the teachers nowadays use the available ICT’s in school as a resort to aid their instruction more efficiently. But not all teachers have the manipulative skills to run a modern technological tool like computers. And this creates a destructive gap.

What are we going to do with teachers whose teaching preferences only include the traditional-classical way then? Is getting rid of them the best way to bridge the generation gap? Would it be upright to remove teachers from the educational context whose technological skills are not enough to bring up a modern classroom? No, to reject traditional teachers is never a remedy to erase the gap between the old and new generation. It’s unrealistic and insane. The best way to connect two separate islands is to build a bridge. This analogy can be applied in remediating the problem generation gap in the whole system of education.

Traditional teachers should be well-oriented with the breakthroughs of education. This can be done through conducting seminars on how to manipulate new technological tools which can effectively aid them in facilitating learning. They, themselves, should be made to appreciate technology as a part of the evolution of the educational system. Through this, they can work more interestingly; driving students’ learning to its full potential.

EXPERIENCE

The topic was delivered through a plain presentation of few slides. Questions were encouraged so as to create an interactive atmosphere. Ideas on how to bridge the generation gap were adjoined through inquiry to evaluate the learners’ understanding on the report given.

REFLECTION

An effective future teacher must clearly understand that the learners’ demands change over time. I have realized that technology is significantly providing reinforcements in uplifting educational standards. Consequently, learning how to use important technological tools as an aid for instruction should not be taken for granted. I have seen how difficult it is for traditional teachers to adjust with the certain changes brought up by technological innovations. Being born with the consciousness of computer literacy is a big chance for me to broaden my perspectives and religiously learn new skills. Not all were born with the same opportunity that I have. I should use it for this is the reason why it is made. 

APPLICATION 

My future teaching style will abundantly require a lot of technological involvements. I see it as an explicit need for science instruction. As how I perceive it, technology is continuously growing. What’s new and in at the time being will soon become outdated. I have to ride along with the world’s dynamics – this is one of the ways to grow up. I have to practice my interest in using technology for advantageous purposes for I believe that someday, I’ll be needing it – oh – well, I’m even using it at this moment. However, this doesn’t mean spending my whole time facing the monitor. It means going out and seeing how things work, making realizations about the world and applying what are learned.