The media has been working with the educational system in recent years to unveil the culprit behind declining grades among elementary, middle and high school students. College students may be scrutinized to a certain degree, but grades were still on the rise at that time. The topic is more relevant to college students in that every student will most likely work with the educational system at some point before entering college or the work force. Many could likely have careers in the system or work with the system. If nothing else, college students are next in line to decide where in the educational system to place the next generation of schoolchildren and how to handle the system as it pertains to their children.
The educational system continues to explore the possibility that grades decline due to insufficient amount of time spent in school. Some schools invest in this and choose to have school year-round. Other schools gradually extend their years and shorten end-of-term and holiday breaks. This argument might be valid if grades weren’t still declining. If time was the issue, grades should be at a peak in schools that still take a short summer break. The educational system also explores options for sending children to school even earlier or making accelerated preschool programs mandatory rather than letting parents choose. This sounds better, but it also means the time spent with toddlers before they reach school age is cut in half.
One potential study school systems tend to overlook is the grades of students that attend schools using computer systems, such as MacBooks, and the grades of students that attend schools that have not yet adapted to this new style of teaching. The computer system works well for college students, as most already know how to study and can use computers to the advantage or convenience of students and staff. The school systems that use computers use it for much more, including attempts to teach complex concepts of math and science.
Are computer lessons really the best way to teach young students still lacking in learning and study skills? Are they the best testing or study tool? Maybe they work for college students, who have already built learning and study skills, but does it have the same effect for elementary students? Are schoolchildren really getting quality education from MacBook systems?
Computer systems in public schools seem impractical compared to colleges, where it is strictly up to the student to provide his or her own computer. Students that come from public school systems that rely on computer technology for educational instruction might enter into college behind in note-taking, problem-solving or study skills. This could have an impact on university level success rates within the next few years. Given the circumstances, further study into this might prove very beneficial. If school systems still favor reliance on computer systems, other options will most likely be explored within the next few years.
