A modern education SOLUTION

DUE TO THE NEW REALITY OF COVID-19, THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE LIVE, LEARN, PLAY AND WORK HAS CHANGED – AND WILL MOST LIKELY NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR EDUCATION?

There is no doubt that the pandemic has put the spotlight on the education system, a century old, one-size-fits-all way of learning, that has until now, got by without adapting to the modern world.

For years prior to the pandemic, educational psychologists and thought leaders have warned that education methodologies need to transform if we are truly going to prepare young people for the future ahead. With the rapid changes we’ve only just begun to experience, this is no longer a warning that can be overlooked, and more than ever, it is evident that a one-size-fits-all approach to education is no longer a viable option. The time has surely come to adapt to a modern education solution.

A learner goes from being a passive observer to an active, fully engaged learner

One solution worth considering is a curriculum based on a Personal System of Instruction or PSI. Through this system, a learner goes from being a passive observer of what is being taught, to an active, fully engaged learner, empowered to take responsibility for their learning.

Subject material is divided into individual units, each with their own learning objectives. Through a process of revision and various quizzes, any gaps in knowledge are easily identified and addressed enabling learners to master content and forge ahead with confidence. While adult supervision is necessary, the adult’s role is one of a learning facilitator, rather than having to be the source of all knowledge.

As it stands, traditional teaching follows a “same pace, different learning” approach, where all learners subscribe to the same weekly lessons, exercises and exam dates with the possibility of varying learning outcomes (for example, 95% achievement for some learners, but 55% or lower for others). The PSI system however, follows a “different pace, same learning” approach where learners are required to pass a high standard of achievement, but at their own individualised pace. This enables learners to achieve the same level of education in a time frame accommodating of their unique learning style. Developed in the 1960s by Fred S. Keller and his associates, the Personal System of Instruction is not a new concept, however, it has never been more relevant than it is today.

What options are available? The first modern education option is to find a school that utilises the Personal System of Instruction in their curriculum, which many schools around the world have done successfully in a move to adapt to the times.

The second option is homeschooling one’s child using a PSI curriculum.

Accelerated Education Enterprises’s Comprehend Africa eLearning solution, is innovative and applies both PSI and a blended learning approach to education. This approach utilises a mix of physical learning materials and an eLearning platform resulting in the unlocking of both learning and teaching potential. This curriculum empowers learners with an uninterrupted, dynamic learning experience – whether at school, home or anywhere in between. This alongside online access to individualised help and encouragement from their teacher, empowers them to work at their own pace and learn with confidence in a way that is relevant to the world they live in. The Comprehend Africa curriculum can be implemented in a standard schooling environment as well as in a homeschool setting.

This curriculum empowers learners with an uninterrupted, dynamic learning experience – whether at school, home or anywhere in between

For a long time, the education system has been at a crossroad, not stepping forward to take advantage of the opportunities that lay before it. Moving forward into a world of modern education solutions will require the skills and bravery of visionaries, educators, parents and society at large. Those who choose change and innovation will no doubt lead us into a new education frontier, where teaching makes use of modern technology, where learning is relevant and tailored to the individuals it seeks to inspire and where education is adaptable to the changes that will inevitably come our way. *

FOR MORE INFO Whether you’re an independent school, public school or a parent, AEE has a modern education solution for you. To find out more, contact our Customer Experience Centre at AEE on 087 820 4858 or email info@aeegroup.co.za