Traditional Learning: What Lessons Do We Learn from it?

Globalization has produced a new of level of interdependence among us. The economy and multinational supply chains do not abide by political boundaries. A computer ordered in Brazil is designed in California and assembled in several other countries. Economic integration was the first strong evidence of a new era.

~Eduardo Paes

What lessons did we learn from 'Traditional Learning'? Traditional education, also known as “back-to-basics”,“conventional learning” and “customary education” focuses on those long-established values and curricula of traditional society. Many parents and conservative members of the community applaud the maintenance of specific standards, test-based results, and a traditional approach to instruction. It’s the type of education they received and, in their minds, they turned out just fine.

Traditional education emphasized such qualities as respect, punctuality, obedience, and following the examples presented. Traditionalists believe that if you stay in school and get a good college or university education and work hard, you will attain a comfortable living. Higher education and staying in school are prized by traditionalist.

In traditional learning, one would work her way up the corporate ladder. Rewards would include: job security, good benefits, promotions, and the gratitude of your employer for your industry and company loyalty. Little thought is given by traditionalists to exploring jobs with other companies.

The goal of traditionalists is to work to retirement at with the same company that hired you and retiring with a pension. By retirement age, traditionalists have raised a family and paid off the mortgage on their home. They have no huge nest egg but no debts either. Their wants have been modest. They have driven an economical vehicle and lived in a house they could afford.
 

Traditional education saw its goal as teaching the next generation the values, conduct, skills and information we had learned. Students learned specific facts and we expected to be able to recall those facts for test purposes. They were expected to be able to apply the skills taught and to question nothing. Teachers were holders and dispensers of skills and facts. Students were receivers of the knowledge communicated to the by their teachers. When people applied for jobs, one of the major considerations was their educational qualifications. Degrees and diplomas were held in high regard. 

Notice everything in the past tense? Yes, times have changed. Find out in my next blog what people think about traditional learning now and what new things have people been involved into in the modern age.

See you soon!