Changes Are Accelerating
In 1975, Sony introduced a wondrous machine called Betamax. It was huge, occupying a large space by or under an equally large TV. It was heavy and would only record when you were present to press the “Play-Record” buttons. Tape size was about the size of a small book and expensive.
Betamax was awesome for its day. To be able to record a program and watch again anytime you wanted to was very impressive. Keep in mind that TV was basically 3 channels and cable was still a one or two channel connection for people in rural areas.
The next year, 1976, VHS was introduced. The equipment was smaller and a lot less expensive (around $995 in 1976 money). The real difference was in the lower cost of blank tapes (albeit a 2-pack of VHS tapes would cost you about $50 in today’s money). The battle was on – Betamax in one corner, VHS in the other.
The winner would ultimately be VHS. (Some observers speculated that VHS won because the porn industry had adopted the VHS standard because it was less expensive.) By 1985, VHS was a clear victor in the recording and playback wars. Betamax now only exists in the annals of electronic folklore.
Today, VHS is just about extinct as a Betamax thanks to DVD player/recorders and TIVO. It took 10 years for VHS to “beat” Betamax. Less than 20 years later, VHS no longer matters. Instead DVD equipment makers are fighting over which high definition format will prevail.
Change used to occur over generations; now change can happen overnight. In a consumer-driven society, new products appear weekly and render still useful products to the “old bin.” The launch of the iPhone will undermine the entire cell phone industry making current products useless.
Here’s the point of the above comparisons: how do you prepare people for the future? What do you teach in school that can still have meaning 20 years from now? What technical training do you offer unemployed people?
Prior to 1995, very few K-12 students had access to computers; 10 years later the computer would exist in every classroom. Now students can get high school and college degrees using a computer and the Internet. The Internet was in its infancy 10 years ago; now it is such a high value commodity that lack of access sends companies scrambling for “work-arounds.”
There are two answers to the preparation questions posed above. First, the core subject areas of reading, writing, arithmetic need to have the highest degree of priority. All three subjects need integration into all aspects of student learning through the end of high school (for example, football players would have reading assignments about football; they also would write summaries about game experiences). Comprehension and skill needs to be standardized at no less than 11th grade level. If a person can continuously learn, they will survive in a fast changing employment environment.
Second, there needs to be an emphasis on creative thinking using art, music, theater, sports and clubs like chess or journal. Education needs to engage both sides of the brain to encourage lifelong learning. Teach people how to think, not what to think.
The next greatest idea will be revealed somewhere tomorrow. Do you think you are ready?
GROWTH <> LEADERSHIP <> EXCELLENCE
© 2007 3 Minute Learning LLC
