THE FUTURE OF
EDUCATION
In this issue I would like to discuss some recent software (or app)
developments that demonstrate how our world is changing, and is a much
different place for our students than it was for their parents. As these new devices and software products
are developed and released to the public, they create challenges in the
classroom as teachers encounter students who are using them.
USA Today
recently reported on a new, although somewhat controversial, app called Thync.
Just as high energy drinks like “Red Bull” stimulate brain activity, the
developers of Thync hope that their app
can create for users nothing less than a desired state of mind, or mode,
ranging from calm to creative to energetic, all in about 10 minutes. The company has developed a simple headpiece
that is composed of two foam and plastic pads connected by a wire whose power
can be controlled with an easy-to-use mobile app. In a process known as neuro-signaling, brain patterns
are recreated using tiny electrical pulses.
Humans experience various mental states during which we feel calmer or
have more energy, willpower or creativity, but can’t always access them at
will. In studies conducted by Thync over the past year, users have
reported receiving a "strong" or "moderate" response from
the Thync device, resulting in
increased mental focus that may last for several hours. This device is subject to FDA approval, but I
have no doubt that it will be made available to the public in some form very
soon.
Another more positive app is called Acorns.
This app helps users proactively invest by rounding up each purchase
transaction to the nearest dollar, and then investing the change into a
diversified portfolio. To use the app, users
complete and short questionnaire, and submit a credit card or debit card, and a
checking account, to the company. A
stock portfolio is then recommended based on information such as age, time
horizon, investment goals and the amount of risk the user is comfortable with. Acorns
operates as a financial institution, and is only available to residents of the
United States. The investment account is
insured and meets bank-level security guidelines. I believe this type of app could be used in
the classroom to teach our students to be more entrepreneurial. Historically schools have worked to prepare
students for a job. Using apps like Acorns we can also teach students how to
invest from a young age and encourage them to be inventive toward owning their
own business. Teaching students to
become independent minded is something we would like to work toward in the
future.
If you are not familiar with the myriad of
apps available for tablets and Smart phones, take a quick look at an app
store. You will be amazed by the volume
of electronic self-help software products that are available, both good and
bad. It is inevitable that these apps
will impact our students and will be topics of conversation in school. As educators, our challenge is to continue to
learn more about apps that students are using every day, and determine whether
these tools can play a positive role in educating or preparing students for
careers of the future. The world is
changing quickly, and schools must be constantly evaluating our approach if we
are to ensure our students are college or career ready when they move to the
next level.
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