I have come to notice through the readings and through discussing with colleagues, professors, friends and family members there are a number of similarities between higher education, business and p-12 education. In my opinion, teamwork is the most glaring similarity and essential for success. It is extremely difficult to run a school, college or business if there is not a system in place that determines or directs how it’s members will work and interact with one another. In business if there is not a common language or structure for the working of teams then the business stands to lose money. In higher education and p-12 educations are more or less businesses. Though they will not lose money per say but they can lose students, qualified teachers or prospective students.
Last week we had our biweekly staff meeting. I walked in the Library looked at the sea of tired, and weary teachers, ready for the weekend (and not in the mood for the meeting). I knew that most of them were thinking the same thing I was…. “Why do we do this to ourselves. What in the world is the point in these meetings?” This is truly what went through my mind. Then our principal began to talk about some of the major hurdles that we were going to face in the coming weeks, month and year. As I have mentioned in many of my post we had a bond passed and with this we have been given a lot of technology but we have been having a number of roadblocks along the way. He used this as an example of what we as teachers must do with our students. He said this is a problem and it is in need of some creative thought and some temporary solutions. He then began to explain that if we cannot work though these technology set back how can we ask our students to. He explained that colleges have concerns about the students that are coming out of high school. They fear that they are not given proficient enough at solving problems. The he explained that in the business world they are looking for people that are problem solvers. As he talked I began to perk up because it was almost as if he was talking to me and about some of the things we have learned about during the reading. Problem solving is a major component of p-12 education, higher education and in the business world. It makes perfect sense. The business world has always had a major impact on what we teach in schools. Businesses inform colleges what students need to be ready for the work place. Higher education then develops curriculum that addresses the businesses concerns. Colleges notice the shortcomings of students that come to the universities. They in turn let schools know where the schools seem to be lacking. The slowest to changes is the p-12 education. According to my Principal it takes longer for change to occur in schools then in any other profession.
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4 comments:
I think that one reason that students are lacking in their problem solving skills is because teachers don't always assign work that allows them to use those higher level thinking skills required to problem solve. One of the reasons for that is because they are so busy teaching to "the test" that this doesn't leave room for assignments that allow for higher level thinking and problem solving. Another reason for this is that some teachers are lacking in their own problem solving skills, hence one reason why changes are so hard to implement in the educational world.
Rick
I agree with teamwork being essential for success. Along with teamwork, a strong leader to is needed to facilitate and guide the team. Your right a school is very similar to a business. I work for a charter school which is considered a business. We are sponsored by Grand Valley State University. If a school doesn't pull the "grade", GVSU cancels it's sponsorship and the school essentially closes. Students are the customer and we need to send them on with everything needed to succeed in the real world.
Rick,
I also focused in on teamwork as one of the major similarities between the three. Problem solving skills are also essential. Business colleges need to be realistically preparing the future business leaders of today. I think WMU is doing a great job, for instance finance majors can take a finance class and in that class, the WMU Foundation is letting those students take a large amount of money and invest it wisely and watch the results. That is real time learning critical problem solving.
I liked your blog. I thought this was by far the hardest assignment and by the time I was done, I justed wanted to get the thing posted and completed before it disappeared. Great Job!
Being in higher education myself, I can definately see the link that you speak of. Even at this level of education (mostly beginning freshman), we are seeing many of the same things. Many college students even at this stage in their education are still showing signs of weak problem solving skills. I mostly see this from more of a technical standpoint in the aviation front, however it sometimes stands out in a more obvious nature. I willing to bet that it doesn't stop there either. I'm sure the business world has the same issues.
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