A New Education Paradigm?

Different scientific views of reality have always influenced society and, at a similar pace, the way education was seen by experts and practitioners. We have seen the development of various teaching methods (which were expected to be followed “to the letter”). Later, approaches developed along with the perception teachers had of their own professional development and of the learners they had to educate. At the end of the 20^th century and beginning of the 21^st, the Post-method Era became an issue of great interest for educators. At this moment, educators are facing the challenge of a world which is in permanent flux due to technological and scientific advances. Because of these changes, society is also undergoing a deep crisis in their traditional institutions. Should we start discussing education goals? Should we re-think how to approach knowledge ourselves and how to help our students to get engaged in this enterprise? If this is the case, we might be facing a change in present education paradigms.

I try to make a retrospective review of teaching methods to end up reflecting upon the challenges this new era presents for both teachers and learners.

My intention is to put forward my view of learning needs in present times.

Since we cannot teach contents that might soon become outdated, it is more important to teach our learners to discern between relevant and irrelevant information. It is also important to equip them with emotional tools that guarantee their free choice no matter which context they take part in.