We Need Revolution in Education

The late 1800’s/early 1900’s marked the 2nd industrial revolution.

In the late 1900’s/early 2000’s, a technology revolution began which disrupted and continues to disrupt industrial giants, creating sharing economies, virtual work opportunities, and new ways of communicating (among many other changes).

There are many revolutions that have happened in human history, and many to come.

But there is one revolution that needs to happen NOW, that hasn’t happened yet.

A revolution in education.

While other areas have evolved and grown, shaping the entire world, education has not. There is no denying that our education, regardless of personal belief, is not optimized to ensure that every student is prepared for a life and career upon graduation.

Instead, the education system focuses on the accumulation and dissemination of information. 99% of which could be accessed via smart phone and Google search. The system is designed to prepare students for college and to earn degrees, of which many graduates can attest the insignificance of when moving into the workforce. While any degree is beneficial, earning the degree in almost all cases does not actually cause the student to be ready for the position or career path they will be embarking upon. Other soon-to-be collegiate students do not understand the opportunity cost of the time they are spending and the money they are investing (typically via loans). Others bypass the system, being seen as exceptions to the rule, but there are too many of them to ignore.

While concepts like critical thinking, hands on learning, independent study, may be incorporated into some schools and other schools focus on STEM concepts to help develop engineers or technology & robotics programs, the world needs more.

The world needs leaders. The world needs innovators. The world needs creatives, designers, carpenters, painters, builders, architects, plumbers, and so much more.

The world needs bakeries, coffee shops, restaurants, and other spaces that can create an atmosphere and environment to bring people together.

The world needs more inspired work. More workplaces with a positive work culture, and only leaders can create these types of spaces.

Right now we are wasting our most precious resource. The biggest threat to humanity is not our use of fossil fuels or any other “physical resources”.

The resource that we are wasting is human potential.

We are wasting this potential because right now there are students sitting in class, daydreaming about an idea, a concept, a vision, and no one is giving them the tools to bring it to life.

If they really want to do it, absolutely they can find those resources. They’re out there.

But I believe that personal growth and self-development resources (that are frequently used by top-performing companies and by leaders as individuals) should be as prevalent in our curriculum as mathematics.

I believe that every student needs an element or personal mentorship in addition to their studies. As students grow, one purpose of an educational institution should be to connect existing students with those who are performing successfully in a field in which the student takes interest.

I believe that financial education and learning to understand how sales, marketing, and investing work are essential concepts to be introduced at a young age.

I believe that every child from a young age should be encouraged to think creatively, outside the box, and trained to think “What would I do if I couldn’t fail?”.

I believe that every student should not only have greatness affirmed over them, but should be taught and instructed to affirm greatness over himself or herself.

I believe that we should encourage students, especially young students, to think bigger, to dream bigger, and to develop creative problem solving abilities.

I believe that the world, right now, has the leaders, the individuals, the technology, the spaces, and the teams to begin this education revolution right now.

When we get to 2100, I hope that humanity looks back reflecting on the dark ages of education, and how everything started to change in 2021.