Shifting Paradigms: Creating Meaningful Learning - Term Paper Example

Shifting Paradigms - Creating Meaningful Learning Shifting Paradigms - Creating Meaningful Learning Introduction Contemporary schools strongly require changing the learning patterns which have been a part of our education system since ages. This is primarily because of the fact that today students need a learner-centered paradigm which can extensively meet their educational requirements (Duffy, 2010). More specifically, this relates to the idea of building such characteristics in children which can help them in pursuing successful careers while positively participating at the community and society level. Hence today the role of educators has become comparatively crucial than the past as they are now required to push the educational institutions towards adopting the methods of meaningful learning (Duffy, 2010). This paper aims to address this issue with due consideration to the importance of a student centered approach. Additionally, the practice of student centered paradigm in general and specifically to the educators in my educational organization will be assessed. Discussion Due to globalization, technological advancements and the rapid political changes all over the world people are now more and more exposed to the changing environment. Although this is a part of development process but it has to be dealt critically in order to facilitate future generations in quick environmental adaptation. Here, the educators play a vital role in helping students to build up such competencies which are crucial for their efficient operations, comfort, transformation and growing production. Hence it can be said that creating a paradigm of meaningful learning is extensively significant for innovations which are then followed by the transformational process. However, educational institutions cannot perform this job independently. They surely require the assistance and facilitation of other stakeholders and community leaders so as to express a coherent and conceivable idea of the shifting paradigms. For instance, leaders and educators would have to communicate the potential success of the dynamic changes while also creating an environment of motivation and commitment all around. They can also define the resources required to carry out the entire project of meaningful learning (Duffy, 2010). Since stakeholders are responsible to undertake the changes in educational patterns therefore they would have to show flexibility in their approach and other working methods. This fundamentally involves thinking in different ways, perceiving the idea of shifting paradigms and behaving accordingly. Moreover, the change also involves some of the unlearning processes, for example, educators and stakeholders would have to completely reject the conventional learning and behaving methods. Although this constitutes as the most challenging aspect of the shifting paradigms but it can be made easy through adapting the same approach throughout the educational institution. Additionally, the key educators are needed to learn their respective jobs more quickly in order to facilitate others going through the same process. At times it also becomes necessary for the educators to neglect their personal concerns related to the meaningful learning process while helping people to quickly adjust (Duffy, 2010). Importance of Student Centered Paradigm Student Centered Paradigm has become crucially significant for the development of contemporary students. This helps people in analyzing their current surroundings while making rational decisions. Moreover, it facilitates them in acclimatize to the changing environment. One of the major consequences of student centered paradigm which makes it even more important is the development of Multiple Intelligence among students. In the 21st century the educational institutions are incorporating the fundamental concepts of Multiple Intelligence with the conventional learning methodologies (McFarlane, 2011). MI closely relates to the idea of diversity, distinctive qualities and the individual characteristics of students which make them highly compatible in the global society (McFarlane, 2011). This also increases the standard of accountability at all professional and educational levels. Apart from this, Student Centered Paradigm is important due to the following factors: It significantly helps in making the 21st century curriculum while understanding the depth of learning requirements and changing environment. It is the most effective approach for gaining flexibility and success in the contemporary world. It facilitates the concept of diversity, for instance, it encourages the student ideas, participation and active involvement in the learning process regardless of their ethnic or religious background. Future technological advancements are strictly dependent upon meaningful learning which actually helps students in scientific experiments and freedom of expression. Both of these constitute as the major contributors of economic development. It not only helps in gaining Multiple Intelligence rather it support argumentation, critical thinking, effective communication, decision making, confidence building, persuasion etc. Assessment My educational organization particularly believes in the student centered education which acts as the competitive advantage in the education industry. Student centered education or the meaningful learning approach is fundamentally a long process of transformation from the conventional to the contemporary teaching methodologies. In the past students were taught within a limited boundary which was only the absorption of knowledge, facts and figures. However, today students require much more than that. They extensively need leverage in the learning patterns and an opportunity to express their personal ideas. My educational institution helps students in achieving the required standard of education which enables them in adjusting in the changing world environment. Moreover, they are encouraged to participate for the betterment of their societies and communities. Student centered education is promoted through the following strategies (Duffy, 2010): Envisioning: At the initial level the organization made a vision to attain meaningful learning standards. This was done through incorporating the contemporary learning requirements, students’ professional interests, developing technologies and the changing world scenario. The vision is then communicated to the educators, community leaders and the major stakeholders in order to gain their support and expert opinions. Energizing: As discussed previously that establishing a student centered education is an entire process of transformation therefore it requires first energizing the teachers and students both. This is necessary to gain their commitment and for creating excitement about the new learning process. The most effective tools for energizing a work team include training and development, workshops and motivational seminars. This can be further strengthened by giving them an opportunity to experiment the novel ideas. Enabling: At this stage the educators and stakeholders are directly influenced to adapt the meaningful learning while developing the curricula as per the elements of student centered approach. This is subsequently followed by performance management, results evaluation and the overall impact of the shifting paradigms. Educators play a substantial role in the promotion of 21st century meaningful learning because they are fundamentally responsible to influence and motivate students. On the other hand they are also directly in contact with the stakeholders and community leaders. Following are the most important elements related to the role of educators within my organization: Educators must be able to critically analyze and understand the subject areas of Multiple Intelligence including linguistic intelligence, musical intelligence, spatial intelligence etc. (McFarlane, 2011). They are supposed to study the strengths and weaknesses of their students. This subsequently helps them in designing the effective instructions plan (Griggs, 2009). Students are then engaged in the learning process as per their individual strengths. This allows them to express themselves with confidence and without the fear of rejection or irrational competition. Educators are also responsible to judge the performance of each student in order to figure out the effectiveness of meaningful learning process. Conclusion The overall research and discussion reveals that the educational system around the world is undergoing serious changes due to the shifting paradigms and environmental conditions. This has actually initiated the idea of meaningful learning or student centered approach. Shifting paradigms is fundamentally supported by educators, stakeholders and community leaders which play the most crucial role in developing students as per the social changes. My educational organization has successfully promoted this concept through envisioning, energizing and enabling the concerned workforce. References Duffy, F. (2010). Dream! Create! Sustain!: Mastering the Art and Science of Transforming School Systems. UK: R&L Education. Griggs, L. B.-S. (2009). Varying pedagogy to address student multiple intelligences. Human Architecture , 55-60. McFarlane, D. (2011). Multiple Intelligences: The Most Effective Platform for Global 21st Century Educational and Instructional Methodologies. 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