Read Naturally recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and I thought it?d be fun to take a look at how education and schools have changed over the last two decades.? Many things have changed, and many things have stayed the same.
School Supplies
I began my research by comparing back-to-school supply lists from 1992 and 2012.? My findings surprised me some.? Most of the supplies where the same!? In 1992 students were asked to bring pens, pencils and notebooks, of course.? Some lists asked for tissues or paper towels.? Predictable school supplies like erasers, tape, highlighters and loose leaf paper are found on lists from both 1992 and 2012.? Glue sticks have replaced paste, which must rank as one of many teachers? most welcome changes.? As you can imagine, I did find a few new items on the 2012 lists that weren?t on school supply lists two decades ago.? Dry erase markers were on a number of current lists. Most schools were still using chalk boards in 1992.? Headphones or ear buds appeared on some 2012 lists. I didn?t find that item anywhere on the older lists.? Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes have become common items in 2012, too.? The thumb drive has now become a standard requirement for many schools.? If you recall, in 1992 the disk was still floppy.
New Technology
Floppy disks are long gone, but they marked the beginning of a major change in education.? Computers and technology have made their way into our homes, offices, and our schools.? From desktops to laptop to iPads and iPods, the trend is obvious and likely to continue.? In 1992, very few people had computers at home.? Many schools had a computer lab with a few desktops, but their educational function was still limited.? I mostly remember playing Oregon Trail as a reward for good behavior, rather than any actual learning or instructional software.? Now, in 2012, the number of computers and the variety and quality of educational software products has increase dramatically.? Many students come to school already having computer skills and many parents expect technology to be a major component in their child?s education.? Some districts are even experimenting with virtual classrooms.
Curriculum, Assessment & Standards
Over the last 20 years, there have been many changes in how students are instructed and which skills are focused on.? A simple example is the change from teaching penmanship to keyboarding, but there are many, many more.? Recently, we?ve seen a major push toward Early Childhood Education, Common Core Standards, Response to Intervention, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math).? Schools are engaged much more with standardized testing, benchmark assessments, and progress monitoring these days, and things like Family and Consumer Science have been deemphasized or left behind altogether.? There also seems to be fewer art projects, movie showings (or film reels), and holiday parties nowadays.
Whether you think the changes are positive or negative, we can all agree that things have indeed changed.? It?s a new generation of students and parents.? You have new tools and research at your disposal.? There are new challenges facing you today that simply weren?t a concern 20 years ago.? Times have changed, and as professional educators I?m sure you?ve adapted to make the best of changing situations.? Your efforts are appreciated.
What kind of changes have you experienced over your career and in your local area?? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
I have been with Read Naturally since 2008. I have a number of roles including marketing, finance, and human resources. My contributions will consist primarily of Read Naturally related news. I?ll also act as the administrator for the RN Bookmark. You can reach me at tjihnot (at) readnaturally (dot) com. jeb bush sherry arnold snooty fox el debarge portland weather clintonville battlestar galactica blood and chrome
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