A Lord Chancellor of Great Britain, Peter Brougham, once said, “Education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to drive: easy to govern, but impossible to enslave”. A statement that is true beyond anything else, especially today wherein the value of education is challenged by the evolving environment and technology.
Today, the ‘millennial’ generation is more focused on social media and aesthetics rather that what truly matters. As educators it is our calling and mantra to make them realize the value of education. This is most applicable in provinces like Bataan where the way of life is not as fast of that in major cities and many of the populations are in low and middle class and education can be the make or break of their future. It may sound like a big task but in truth it is very simple, educators only needs to evolve with the students. It can actually be achieved slowly, day by day, person per person by making sure that the students attend class and that they find the lessons interesting, that way studying will come about less of a task and more of a fun activity. Studies abroad proved that if an activity is of interest to a person, whether it is a job or studying, the person is more likely to feel more enthusiastic in accomplishing the said activity.
Since the new generations today is so keen in social media and other high-tech things it can be used as an advantage. Teachers can use ‘tech-stuffs’ in teaching lessons and topics so that the youngsters will be more interested. Use trends and ‘viral’ things as reference or incorporate those in discussion so they can easily relate. Also, it is good to involve then in the discussions, make them participate and urge them to speak their mind. But of course there are many different students in a class that is why one tactic can not apply to all, there must be a personal involvement. An educator must also learn to acclimatize with each student. Education is a forever evolving sector, not only for students but for educators as well.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/18783
By: Leo Marco Paulo D. Peralta Teacher I | Bataan Christian School| Pilar, Bataan
