I chose to analyze a TedTalk entitled “Data-driven Education” by Khurram Virani (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3eO8gYmWCc) . He states that teaching is hard and that the curriculum is even harder but that improving the curriculum is the hardest of the three. He draws an important parallel between technology and education by pointing out that they both serve other industries and pushing these industries forward by giving them the right tools and people to push forward. He believes that there is a divide in technology between the way people learn and the way they work. There is no right answer with teaching. It is not a straightforward science. However, technology and education are not on the same path. In the technology field there is a constant change and it is propelling these industries forward at a rapid rate whereas education is stagnant which leaves a gap between the academic world and the working world. Just like educators are constantly trying to make a connection between science and art, the same is being done with education and technology. One way this is being done is by data-driven education. It is believed that data should be collected in order to improve our education system and make changes to the curriculum based on this data. However, he believes that in the end teachers should make these changes because technology can gather this information, but it cannot analyze or implement it in a classroom setting.
I agree with Virani because I too think that our education system does not teach for today let alone for the future. While we have added technology in the classroom, it has been used at a very basic level. While most of us know the basics of Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, etc., we have not been taught to use these programs in dept for potential future careers that require things such as excel. Also, instead of pushing students to pursue careers in the technology field, we encourage them to pick more traditional fields even though technology is ever changing and booming. He also points out that even though technology is present in the classroom, it is often overused. I remember as a child teachers playing a whole movie in class and then simply asking us what we learned even though it had no real educational value. Having technology in a classroom does not fill the gap between technology and education. Teaching our students how to code or how to use excel would be one way that could fill this gap and give our students tools for the real world. This would not only make our content more diverse but would prepare our students for the industries they may work in one day.
When the idea of data-driven education was brought up, I immediately thought of standardized testing but this is not what is meant by data-driven education. The difference is that unlike standardized testing, this information is analyzed in order to make changes in the education system. If we are not acting upon this information we have gathered, it is pointless. I like the idea of using this idea to compare our education on a yearly basis. Comparing how certain classes work and also to track a students progress. It can also help teachers to collaborate because this information can be passed on and teachers can use this to focus on problem areas for students.
Twitter Thread : https://twitter.com/vedrana_sarenac/status/1056393797469380608