Aug 28, 2018
Is education still important now?
What do you think about modern education? Is it still important? Do you have experiences with studies abroad?
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Aug 31, 2018
I have very strong and sometimes conflicted feelings about this question.
I went to grad school with the intention of becoming a software engineer. As I saw the financial toll grad school was taking on my family and seeing the costs of education (both time and money). I really started to question the need for institutionalized education.
Education of course is extremely important, the question is whether or not free (mostly internet) resources can replace or supersede the current university system. I’m still not sure if there’s an “absolute” answer, but here are a few of my thoughts:
I think the answer to this question hinges on the learning habits of the individual. There are many different learning/teacher styles. Just like some people need a fitness trainer while others don’t—some might learn better just reading articles, others might learn better in a class setting.
For better or worse, traditional jobs won’t take you as seriously without a degree. Online degrees are seen as less serious.
Online is cheaper—how will the system sustain academics who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their education? No one will want to specialize or become doctorates of their field only to make minimum wage. This will most likely be inevitable as Youtubers, and other freemium platforms compete with professors.
On the other hand, traditional education is usually wayyyyy too expensive and costly for students. Those choosing to successfully pursue alternate education routes, might, in fact, help reduce tuition costs if enough competition is presented.
Universities in large part do not actually promote free-thinking. Many professors and institutions are politically bias and students feel threatened to voice opinions as it will negatively affect their grades. Online education does remove this anxiety and allow people to express themselves more freely as well as find multiple perspectives quickly.
Universities have incredible resources for students of certain disciplines (particularly the sciences). Most individuals will not be able to access half the scientific equipment available to them at a university, in-home.
Jan 22, 2019
Hey Robert,
Great question! Education as a constant will ALWAYS be important, but now [and for some time] the methods have changed.
Today, it's a fact [and a reality] that we can learn virtually anything we want for FREE. "Modern" education like edX, Coursera, Udacity, etc. [where we can learn from industry experts and innovators for free] is the new norm, and I believe this is just the beginning of free education that will prevail into the future.
I think a more accurate question would be: "What kind of education is most important now?" and this is still subjective and varies according to the individual.
There are essentially 2 categories of knowledge that education [as a service] can provide, namely, Specialized Knowledge and General Knowledge.
What's most important is how much you learn, relative to the educational medium, and how much you use/apply. We learn by DOING, which is why Specialized Knowledge is usually far better [as it involves practical application].
The traditional education system is still essential for anyone who aspires to be successful as a Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, etc. and I don't think this will change for some time [at least, not as quickly as other disciplines, professions and subjects].
The main problem with the "traditional" education system is that it does NOT teach a person how to make MONEY or EARN a living, because of the General Knowledge [I like to call random facts and figures] it imparts. This leads to people getting stuck in jobs that don't align with their personalities or their purpose [just to pay the bills], and extreme loss in quality of life ensues.
Here's where Specialized Knowledge is so vitally important to invest in, as someone can learn how to make money and/or create a living that will provide for more life for themselves, for their families, and for anyone that comes into contact with them.
I've personally had experience with almost every form of education, and can attest that Specialized Knowledge, the ability to Learn and Apply Knowledge quickly, and the Flexibility to Adapt to Dynamic Markets are [and will continue to be] underlying principles of useful and practical "modern" education.
I have not studied abroad, but I have learned from people all over the world, both domestically and globally. The world is "flat" again, so it is important to learn from all people everywhere. Highly recommend studying abroad and learning from as many cultures as possible.
Plus, studying abroad is the best way to learn a new language, which is an added bonus.
Life is about perspective, and diverse learning experience is a key to success, as everyone learns differently. What works for someone does not necessarily work for everyone, so flexibility and variability in both practice and method will always be important.
Learn on my friend!
With gratitude,
Alex
Sep 27, 2018
Of course, it is! Education is not about getting a degree and then a job. It opens up your mind. Education provides you with the ability to see the world from your point-of-view and from any other's prospect. Even modern education is nothing different, but a modified way of imparting education. I don't have any personal experience of studying abroad, so, I won't comment on that. However, as far as education is concerned, it is definitely an important aspect to make you a better person in the long run.
Aug 28, 2018
Education is not all about studying and getting good marks. It is really a means to discover new things which we don't know about and increase our knowledge.
An educated person has the ability to differentiate between right and wrong or good and evil. It is the foremost responsibility of a society to educate its citizens.
Sep 1, 2018
What you said is right. But the education system in most countries is horrible.
Aug 29, 2018
In my view, self-improvement plays the main role in our life. And yes, the matter is not in good marks at all. When I wanted to learn a language, I went to the UK. I found language courses abroad very effective, interesting and fun. And I think it's a great opportunity not only for study but also for a little trip. That's why if you are interested in language courses, I can recommend a great website: https://linguatrip.com/en/english/united_kingdom/
Nov 16, 2018
I recently graduated from University. I could not find a job for a long time. At the moment, I work in Quizlet Live and write high-quality and interesting articles. I love my job. If I had not been well educated, I would not have become a writer. Education has always been important, but higher and higher school diplomas are expected, and there are, in my opinion, many reasons that all play a role:
The conditions and environment in the workplace have changed. The proportion of brain work has increased & there it needs (supposedly) better school qualifications.
The increase in educational opportunities to gain a middle education degree or more leads to more and more graduates. Of course, this affects the competition in the training market.
The perception of what a "good" job is has changed. I know teens who come to us in the youth meeting, for the "craft" is almost a dirty word.
Many applicants focus on a few occupations and here employers have free choice. The same is the case with occupations that are currently in trend (e.g. event salesman, real estate agent, IT specialist, media designer).
Just as a possible example, this list could be extended much further...
Nov 14, 2018
Education is important but studying just to get marks and pass isn't a good strategy, in my view, one can have a basic degree but build real-life skills that are more important. Some of the important ones according to me are:
Sales and marketing
Creative problem solving
Computer programming
Build empathy
People skills
There are many others that very valuable and some time isn't covered in the traditional education system.
Nov 21, 2018
I think that it will always be important. But I would not limit education to going to college only. Self-education is priceless. It is still underestimated a lot. But I think that you should never stop improving your knowledge. With online courses and certification, you may gain way more knowledge than in 4 years in college (do not forget a huge debt you'll get along with your diploma).
I haven't studied abroad, but it seems like an awesome experience if you plan to work there.
Feb 19, 2019
I have my own reasons why schools for an increasingly advanced era are needed.
1. Now the day curriculum for students is easy. Today's education system focuses on objective and subjective answers.
2. Questions like thinking skills or assistance are submitted in this system.
3. Use of teaching aids such as slides, smart boards, knowledge practices, real things etc. Become part of our system.
4. The use of methods of playing in basic teaching is part of our modern system.
In this system, there is no more fear for the test in the minds of students. These are the reasons modern education is still important.
Jan 24, 2019
Education can never stop to be important. Basically put, education can be broadly divided into informal and formal. The informal is that which we don't need to attend any school for and starts from the home. You must be taught how to make your bed, brush your teeth and some other little tit-bits right from when you are a toddler. It's a form of education and you can't do without that.
For the formal or institutionalized education, there are some certain fields of life you must acquire education before you can operate in. I, for one will never allow anybody to cut me open if I see on the signpost that such a fellow read up medicine from a collection of textbooks and had to practice with lizards and rats. I want to believe that you will not be willing too.
Certain forms of learning need to be supervised and that is exactly what the institutions are for. The fact that we can learn a few trades by the roadside does not take anything away from getting educated. It's a sure means of exposing and training the mind in readiness for the phenomenon called earth and it's surrounding.
Very true, agree with you Raymond...