Podemos cambiar la educación? Clubes TED ED | Romina Iragorre | TEDxPaseoAlameda

The Future of Education: Embracing Change

Traditional vs. Modern Educational Environments

• The speaker reflects on their educational journey, noting the unchanged structure of classrooms since the 18th century, characterized by desks, a teacher, and a blackboard.

• In contrast, the current school environment includes personal computers, smartphones, internet access, and cloud platforms; however, technology alone is insufficient for effective education.

The Role of Educators in Student Development

• The speaker emphasizes that teachers must cultivate creativity and flexibility in students to navigate a rapidly changing world.

• A new initiative called "Club" was introduced to help educators guide students in exploring their interests and developing communication skills.

Transitioning from Traditional Teaching Methods

• The speaker decided to abandon traditional teaching methods to focus on fostering essential life skills among students through interactive workshops.

• Initial attempts at this new approach faced challenges as students struggled with self-exploration and expressing their interests.

Challenges Faced During Implementation

• Students found it difficult to identify personal interests; some exhibited disinterest or lack of motivation during activities designed for self-discovery.

• A specific student named Juan Pablo exemplified these challenges; despite being academically excellent, he struggled with participation and interaction.

Resistance from Students

• Juan Pablo's reluctance led to frustration among peers who attempted to have the teacher removed due to perceived failures in meeting educational expectations.

• Students preferred traditional learning methods over innovative approaches that required introspection and engagement with personal interests.

Adapting Teaching Strategies

• After realizing the need for change in methodology, the speaker began conducting individual meetings with students to better understand their extracurricular interests.

• This shift allowed for gradual progress as students started sharing more about themselves outside of academic contexts.

Breakthrough Moments

• During one meeting, Juan Pablo expressed his fear of public speaking but was encouraged by the teacher’s support to participate without pressure.

• As events approached, Juan Pablo gained confidence and chose to present live instead of recording his talk like others had done.

Successful Outcomes from New Approaches

• Ultimately, all 21 participating students successfully presented their ideas at an event attended by family and friends.

Transformative Educational Practices

Importance of the Process

• The key aspect of this educational process is not just the discussions but the transformation experienced by all participants. Everyone stepped out of their comfort zones, learning tolerance, teamwork, and active listening.

Impact on Students' Lives

• The speaker believes that through such educational practices, we can significantly influence students' lives by developing skills that help them navigate real-life situations. This includes fostering happy, critical, and flexible minds.

Personal Growth Example

• A notable example shared is Juan Pablo, a student who overcame his fear of public speaking to present his own ideas. His journey exemplifies personal growth and courage in facing challenges.

Reflection on Traditional Education

• The speaker reflects on traditional education's shortcomings, noting that much of what is learned often becomes forgettable after exams. This raises questions about the value of rote memorization versus practical skills.

Skills Over Memorization