Current Issues in Education
Current Issues in Education
Introduction
The field of education is characterized by many issues. Whereas some of these issues might affect the standards of education, others do not. Some of the most pertinent issues in education include learning disabilities, technology, and the impact of social trends on education. Some of these issues have far reaching implications upon educational psychology. For instance, it is extremely vital to assess the implications of modern technology upon the outcome of learning.The issue of differentiated instruction serves as another current issue in education that affects educational psychology. This comprises of the integration of specialized instructional strategies into the learning process. Educational psychologists must be considerate about these issues in order to streamline the quality of the learning. This paper seeks to examine the current issues in education as it relates to educational psychology. This analysis will be essential towards enhancing the standards of education.
Thesis: Current issues in education have extensive implications on educational psychology.
CURRENT ISSUES IN EDUCATION
Education plays a significant role towards the enhancement of intelligence among individuals. It is an inherent component of cognitive development among human beings. On the other hand, educational psychology pertains to an evaluation of how humans learn. Additionally, it attempts to investigate the outcomes of the learning process. Emotional and social perspectives are fundamental components of educational psychology (Goldman, 2007). It is thus fundamentally essential to evaluate some of the most outstanding issues in education as they relate to educational psychology. This will be essential towards enhancing the quality of learning outcomes and thus streamlining educational standards. Following is an evaluation of current issues in education as they relate to educational psychology.
Differentiated instruction
Differentiated instruction encompasses the various instructional tools used to streamline the learning outcomes. Through differentiated instructions, teachers can help the learner reach their potential. In the modern learning environment, diversity among students is evident. For instance, the American education sector is characterized by students from diverse racial backgrounds. Such diversity has an inherent implication upon educational psychology. Traditional instructional approaches have always focused upon the teacher (Gregory, 2006). Through such tactics, it was considerably complex for the instructor to maximize upon the quality of the learning process.
However, differentiated instructions comprise of a multi-perspective approach that centers upon the needs of students. For instance, some students are quick learners because they can easily comprehend new concepts. In contrast, it takes longer for other students to comprehend new concepts. However, differentiated instructions help in addressing such types of disparities. This is because it focuses on the diverse strengths and weaknesses of different students. The framework for differentiated instructions also serves as an essential platform for enhancing the efficiency of assessment in education.
Over the years, instructors have encountered significant challenges while trying to establish a comprehensive framework for assessment (Moreno, 2009). However, differentiated instructions are helpful in ensuring that the students’ weaknesses and strengths are examined. It is essential to highlight that differentiated instruction does not necessarily imply an overhaul of the education curriculum. It might even comprise of minor adjustments into the learning environment. The choice of appropriate learning materials is also another critical perspective under the framework of differentiated instruction. The nature of instructional materials used by the teacher has far reaching implications upon the learning outcome. For instance, PowerPoint presentations might contribute immensely towards the enhancement of learning outcomes. Through such presentations, the instructor can encourage attentiveness among students. This helps in enhancing the learning outcome.
The different perspectives of differentiated instructions have extensive significance on educational psychology (Tomlinson, 2006). For instance, understanding the capabilities of a student is extremely pertinent towards enhancing the learning outcomes. Educational psychology focuses upon the different aspects of learning for both children and adults. Consequently, the issue of differentiated instruction is extremely pertinent in educational psychology.
Technology in Education
Apart from differentiated instruction, another outstanding current issue in education pertains is technology in education. Since the 1980s, the globe has experienced tremendous technological innovations on numerous fronts. In essence, most of these innovations revolve around computer technology. Additionally, technological advancements are also evident in the field of information and communications. These kinds of advancements have been influential in education. Firstly, the integration of modern technological systems is evident in instructional materials. Such systems are vital in terms of enhancing the learning environment (Tuckman, 2010).
Within the modern education sector, it is extremely essential for instructors to establish an effective learning environment that addresses the needs of all students. In any learning environment, the emotional perspectives are equally significant as the physical aspects. Through modern technology, instructors have an excellent platform for engaging students emotionally and physically. The use of PowerPoint presentations is among the outstanding examples of technological integration in education. Through these presentations, the learning environment is boosted immensely.
The emotional and physical frameworks of the learning environment are inherent components of educational psychology. If the instructor is not considerate about these perspectives, the learning outcomes are significantly undermined (Gregory, 2006). On the other hand, the instructor enhances the learning process by addressing the diverse psychological and emotional aspects. The integration of technology in education has also been a significant contributor towards the enhancement of accuracy standards. Accuracy mostly applies to the assessment framework used to examine students. High levels of inaccuracy can significantly undermine the learning process. Due to the extent of diversities in the modern learning environment, teachers face the challenge of communication barriers while dealing with students.
Communication is extremely sensitive towards enhancing the quality of learning. In the absence of an effective communication framework, it is tremendously complex to promote cognitive development among students. However, technological platforms are excellent tools for teachers to overcome these barriers. For instance, modern technological systems have diverse options for translations. Consequently, this helps in enhancing the efficacy of communication within the education sector.
Communication efficiency is an integral aspect of educational psychology (Smith, 2011). This highlights the significant implications of technology in educational psychology in the modern world. In the current education sector, instructors can communicate easily with students via email correspondence. Videoconferencing serves as another useful technological aspect in education. This provides a platform for teachers to pass instructions to students via the internet. This is extremely helpful in terms of enhancing time efficiency. The integration of technology in education is also evident in terms of research (Barron, 2012). Educational researchers seek to assess different issues about education using modern technological platforms. This has been an excellent starting point for promoting evidence based practice in education. All these attributes present technology as among the most outstanding issues education.
Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are complications that derail cognitive development in an individual. Such disabilities lead to disparities among students at the same level of study. The establishment of comprehensive teaching strategies is extremely vital towards alleviating the challenge of learning disabilities. It is fundamentally essential to highlight that learning disabilities affect the formulation process of education curriculum. Educators must consider the disparities evident among students while developing curricula. This helps in maintain the relevant standards of balance (Race, 2012).
The issue of learning disabilities is an outstanding perspective in the education. Educators must develop effective strategies for addressing the various learning disabilities among children. For instance, some students encounter significant challenges while trying to solve mathematical problems. In contrast, other students encounter challenges while dealing with questions that require critical thinking. The integration of differentiated instructions within the learning environment has been a notable approach of dealing with learning disabilities (Moreno, 2009). This approach is helpful in developing instructional plans that conform to the needs of all students.
Apart from differentiated instructions, another approach towards alleviating learning disabilities pertains to increased collaboration with parents. Such collaborative efforts streamline the efficiency of learning process for students with learning disabilities. Apart from collaborative efforts, transitioning has become an integral aspect of alleviating learning disabilities (Fletcher, 2006). In essence, transitioning helps the learners to adapt to the learning environment in different academic levels. For instance, transitioning strategies are pertinent as a student moves from middle school to high school.
Traditionally, educators did not emphasize upon the significance of learning disabilities. However, the increased diversity in the modern educational settings has changed this trend. Learning disabilities have tremendous implications on educational psychology. This is because disabilities have an inherent impact on the quality of the learning outcomes. All these perspectives justify the significance of learning disabilities as a pertinent issue in education.
Cultural Diversity
Cultural diversity is a notable aspect in the global education sector. This calls for the establishment of culturally sensitive instructional plans. Additionally, the learning environments in the current education sector are culturally sensitive. Although diversity in cultures can enhance the education standards within the current educational systems, it might also undermine the outcomes. This mostly occurs when the instructor is biased towards a particular cultural entity or group. This is why educators are required to maintain a culturally sensitive learning environment (Race, 2012). Through this approach, cultural diversity among students becomes a strongpoint rather than a weakness.
The emphasis on diversity is an essential attribute for consideration in terms of educational psychology. For instance, some students might consider themselves as being disadvantaged compared to colleagues from other cultures. This mostly applies to students from ethnic and racial minorities (Smith, 2011). However, effective strategies for cultural diversity help in addressing such challenges.
Conclusion
Current issues in education have extensive implications on educational psychology. The paper examines this assertion on the basis of cultural diversity, differentiated instructions, technology and learning disabilities. The different perspectives of differentiated instructions have extensive significance on educational psychology. For instance, understanding the capabilities of a student is extremely pertinent towards enhancing the learning outcomes. Educational psychology focuses upon the different aspects of learning for both children and adults. Learning disabilities have tremendous implications on educational psychology. This is because disabilities have an inherent impact on the quality of the learning outcomes. The integration of technology in education is also evident in terms of research. Educational researchers seek to assess different issues about education using modern technological platforms.
References
Smith, J. & Reeve, J. (2011). Educational psychology: Reflection for action. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons
Barron, A. (2002). Technologies for education. Greenwood, CO: Greenwood Publishing Group
Fletcher, J. M. & Lyon, G. R. (2006). Learning disabilities: From identification to intervention. New York: Guilford Press
Goldman, R. (2007). Current issues and trends in education. New York, NY: Prentice Hall
Gregory, G. & Chapman, C. (2006). Differentiated instructional strategies. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press
Moreno, R. (2009). Educational psychology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons
Race, D. (2012). Learning disability: A social approach. New York, NY: Routledge
Tomlinson, C. A. (2006). Integrating differentiated instruction. Alexandria, VA: ASCD Publishing
Tuckman, B. & Monetti, D. (2010). Educational psychology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
Williams, W. (2009). Educational psychology. Boston, MA: Pearson/Merrill
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