What has the potential to disrupt factory model of education?

he factory model of education is often critiqued for its lack of creativity and its failure to truly meet the needs of every individual student. However, this model is still prevalent in many schools today. Are we doing enough to move away from this outdated system and towards a more personalized approach to learning? Let's take a closer look.

The factory model of education is based on the idea that students are like products on an assembly line. They all move through the same process, at the same pace, and with the same goal in mind: to get a diploma. This one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work for everyone. Some students learn more quickly than others and some have different interests and needs.

This model also doesn't encourage creativity. In a factory, the goal is to produce as many products as possible in the most efficient way possible. There is no room for creativity or individual expression.

This is the famous speech by Sir Ken Robinson where he talks about the relevance of the industrial model of education, 

"Our education system is predicated on the idea of academic ability. And there's a reason. Around the world, there were no public systems of education, really, before the 19th century. They all came into being to meet the needs of industrialism. So the hierarchy is rooted in two ideas.

Number one, that the most useful subjects for work are at the top. So you were probably steered benignly away from things at school when you were a kid, things you liked, because you would never get a job doing that.

And the second is academic ability, which has come to dominate our view of intelligence because the universities designed the system in their image."

The factory model of education was developed during the Industrial Revolution when mass production was first introduced. This model was designed to prepare workers for jobs in factories. But times have changed and today's students will need to be creative and adaptable to succeed in the ever-changing world of work.

So, are we still following the factory model of education? In many ways, yes. But there is a growing movement toward more personalized learning models that better meet the needs of all students. These models focus on individualized attention, creativity, and flexibility.

The factory model of education is no longer adequate for today's world. We need to do more to move away from this outdated system and towards a more personalized approach to learning.

Are tools in the classrooms enough?

Indeed, incorporating more technology into the classroom can be a powerful way to individualize learning and meet the needs of all students. But it's not enough. Technology is just a tool. It's how we use it that matters.

For example, let's say we're using a learning management system (LMS) to deliver content to our students. We can use the LMS to give all students the same content at the same time. Or, we can use it to give each student different content based on their individual needs and interests. The former is the factory model; the latter is a more personalized approach.

Does Online learning have the power to transform the present education in schools?

It's hard to say definitively whether or not online learning has the power to transform education in schools. However, there is potential for online learning to personalize education and meet the needs of all students.

For example, online learning can provide students with different content based on their individual needs and interests. Additionally, online learning can offer more flexibility and allow students to learn at their own pace. So, while online learning is not a silver bullet, it has the potential to improve education in schools.

Is blended learning a way out?

Blended learning is a mix of online and offline learning. It's often used in schools as a way to personalize education and meet the needs of all students. For example, let's say we're using a blended learning approach to deliver content to our students.

Blended learning has the potential to improve education in schools by personalizing content and meeting the needs of all students. However, it's important to note that blended learning is not a silver bullet. It's just one tool that can be used to improve education.

In some schools, you will see some students using apps like Khan Academy or working on Chromebooks, while another group is sitting in a group with a teacher, and yet others might be in a traditional lecture hall. The key is that each student is getting the content and support they need to succeed.

So, while we can't say definitively whether or not online learning or blended learning will transform education in schools, there is potential for these approaches to improve education and meet the needs of all students.

Parents taking more control of their child's education like homeschooling and unschooling

Homeschooling and unschooling are two approaches to education that are growing in popularity. In both cases, parents take more control of their child's education.

Homeschooling is a more traditional approach, where parents teach their children at home using a curriculum. Unschooling is a more flexible approach, where children learn through everyday experiences.

Both homeschooling and unschooling have the potential to improve education and meet the needs of all students.

We need to change the objective of education from just running a system where knowledge is imparted to helping kids become lifelong learners. We need to help kids develop the skills and habits they need to continue learning throughout their lives.

It's quite fashionable to say that the education system's broken — it's not broken, it's wonderfully constructed. It's just that we don't need it anymore. It's outdated.- Sugata Mitra‍