Technical education: Get Ahead of the Game ‘When am I going to learn something useful’? This question is commonly heard and spoken by students across the country. College students feel like they are learning useless information; knowledge which will never be needed in the real world as a working adult. While this question might seem rhetorical, it begs further investigation. When a college graduate steps into the workforce, he or she often feels overwhelmed with what they need to learn. This can be addressed in college, by offering practical programs throughout a student’s college career. Four year colleges and universities should integrate technical education into their curriculum because many graduates lack useful job skills and experience …show more content…
Most of these differences are found in the curriculum of these two types of schools. Four year colleges spend class time teaching students textbook information. They do not use real world experiences when teaching students. Therefore, most classes are conducted in a classroom using books and lectures. Technical schools integrate studying information about a specific job along with providing a good understanding of a future career (Revermann). This gives the student a thorough understanding of the information presented and how to apply it in real world situations.
Vocational schools offer a similar type of education, but place more emphasis on hands on experience. Vocational schools lack the informational education given at technical schools but focus more on providing a hands on experience for students working toward a degree (Revermann). Vocational schools are effective if a student is looking only for a degree, but some students feel that they lack valuable information in their career
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This method may seem unconventional but has been proven time and time again to be more successful after graduation. This practice has been used in high schools across the country in the form of CTE, meaning Career and Technical Education. Nearly eighty eight percent of high schools offer some sort of CTE program in 2002, and is steadily growing. Since offering these programs, schools have seen a graduation rate eleven percent higher (“ACTE”). If these tactics were applied to colleges in the United States, the results would be amazing. Eighty-one percent of high school dropouts said they would have stayed in school if they had more hands on experience and felt like they were learning something useful (“ACTE”). Colleges with hands on experience could make students feel as if they were learning practical information. College dropout rates would shrink and employers would be able to hire employees without the need for training. The benefits for this teaching style would go beyond employers
A hard choice many people face in today’s society is whether to attend a university or to go to a trade school. With the economy America has right now it is clear that the best way to get an actual paying job is to go to a trade school and receive a certificate, rather than a college degree. It is proven that you can be just as successful in life with a job that requires technical skill over a college degree. Sadly, the culture we live in today brainwashes people into thinking technical degrees are undesirable and that a college degree is the best and only way to go. Often when students proceed on this course of life that society told them to take they may be stuck with large student loans to pay off without the promise of finishing their degree or getting a job.
This causes each student to be treated the same, which eliminates the opportunity for them to become unique individuals. As a result, each student’s potential to develop an opinion and change society for the better is removed. The significance of teaching to individuals rather than the class is further described and supported by David S. Broder. In the article “A Model for High Schools,” Broder explains that “the challenge of a tough curriculum, backed by skillful teaching in small classes and plenty of personal counseling, can be a path to success” even for high school dropouts. By using an individualistic approach, “the [Gateway to College program] has been judged a success.
Career and technical education courses are intended to prepare high school students to enter the work force in a skilled trade. It equips the students with the experience and education necessary to succeed in an average skill level job while maintaining the student’s interest. In an article that focuses on an aviation CTE program, a “senior policy analyst at the Morrison Institute, said that Career and Technical Education provides another opportunity for students who struggle in high school.” The assumption is that students who struggle in high school presumably do not want another four years of education to attain a bachelor’s degree. Until recently, schools have been excessively geared towards college readiness. The dogma was elementary school, high school, college, without exception. With this “one size fits all” education system in place, a different education course had to evolve. CTE courses offer a break from the tedious grind by introducing career readiness as an alternative. In place of the four years in a college, CTE programs gives student...
Over the past few years, people have begun to see going to college as a way to achieve the American Dream through career-readiness. People used to go to college, hoping to get a better well-rounded education. For most the well-rounded education, it usually came with the courses required for a liberal arts education. The courses would provide a level of analytical and in-depth understanding that would prepare the students for both life and whichever career path chosen. No matter the amount of money paid, parents would be willing to gi...
As the economy evolves and the job market continues to get more competitive, it’s becoming harder to have a successful career without some kind of college degree. This creates a belief in many young students that college actually is a commodity, something they must have in order to have a good life. There’s many different factors that influence this mindset, high schools must push the importance of the student’s willingness and drive to further their education. College isn’t just a gateway to jobs, but it is an opportunity to increase knowledge and stretch and challenge the student which in return makes them a more rounded adult and provides them with skills they might lack prior to
For far too long, people have regarded vocational schooling as a second class option to a traditional college. Some believe that only under achievers will attend this type of school...
By keeping the old ways of teaching, students are never prepared for jobs that actually exist. Instead students are forced to learn the standard way and lose the ability to apply their prior knowledge to current jobs. Modernized teaching allows an individual to form a creative side of thinking. This is done by using technology, where individuals are able to explore and think of things in new ways never thought of before. Davidson discusses how the education system strictly focuses on preparing students for higher education rather than properly preparing them for jobs in their fields of interest. She
Murray, Charles. ""What's Wrong with Vocational School?"." Practical Argument: A Text and Anthology. Ed. Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2011. 631-634. Print.
The teachers in the vocational program should bring the students up and make them a better student and hopefully can escape the vocational program and join other students in high school or
Students go to college in search of knowledge, a new lifestyle, and the hope of a job after graduation. For many young adults, college is a rite of passage into an independent, mature new lifestyle. Not only is higher education a rite of passage, for some, it is also an opportunity to have a better life. Overall, college is a wonderful part of many people’s lives, yet the way the college education system is conducted wastes students time and money. College is basically composed of two parts: general education classes and major specific classes. General education courses are the source of wasted time and money, and should not be required of students. A few of the problems associated with general education classes are that they are basically a repeat of high school, unfortunately they can be the demise of students, they are costly, and they waste time.
A real education is something that everyone should value, and all of us should strive to live up to our true potential. Contrary to popular belief, heading off to a four-year college to reach that true potential may not necessarily be the right choice for everyone. Vocational training is not only less expensive than college, but it is also a better use of time and provides students with skills critical for their job of interest. In six months, the class of 2014 will put on their caps and gowns and walk across the stage with their diplomas. All of those graduates will be excited to move onto the next chapter of life. But what path will they choose? Will they go with the flow, or will they take a walk down the unbeaten path?
Is a four-year degree all it 's cracked up to be? Are colleges still a relevant cornerstone of our society? Are vocational schools the future of education? In his college hit-piece "Are Too Many People Going to College?", author Charles Murray attempts to persuade the reader that in fact the current educational system is outdated and becoming obsolete, that colleges are becoming irrelevant to society, and that vocational schools offer a better value for most students. In his examples, Murray overlooks the great variants of interests held by individuals, and diminishes the benefits colleges have to offer students. Murray 's lack of consideration for the human experience aspect of higher education calls into question the validity of his assertions.
What are the different pedagogy styles that are going to expect to see at the high schools? What are the dropout rates, will this have an effect on my student? What are the graduation outlooks, college acceptance rates? What are the expectations of pay when I leave the high school? As the United States of America moves into the 21st century we need to ask ourselves, Am I we helping our next generation plan for the future, are we providing them with the tools to succeed? The large difference between a Classical Preparatory High School and A Career Technical Education High School is that they are preparing young Americans to succeed in today’s work place, by developing students that poses, critical thinking skills , hands on ability , and employability skills. That will help them attain a career after graduation or continue to expand their abilities in a 4 year
What is vocational education? That depends on the period in history and whom you ask. There is probably no greater bone of contention or confusion among educators. Vocational education or educating students to fulfil their vocation or calling in life is such a broad definition. Traditionally it has been seen as an education for those not taking up tertiary studies, for those who instead undertake hands on training before entering the world of work. If this then is the definition, entry to some of the most highly regarded professions, is through vocational education. Take for example the doctor, teacher or the architect. In each of these cases the undergraduate student must undertake some form of on the job training and examination in order to receive their registration. This then changes the focus of vocational education. No longer can we look from the traditional view that it is for tradespeople, or blue-collar workers. We must then take a more encompassing view that it is necessary element of education for all students, to give them the grounding to deal with the challenges of the work force, regardless of the esteem the work they will ultimately do is held in.
People have a lot of options in educating themselves online in today’s time and technology. Online education has improved a lot in the past twenty years. Even though it has had its setbacks, it continues to show promising results. Online education has many benefits with little to no disadvantages. It provides flexibility in scheduling and offers various options in educational online programs. In the past decade, education has evolved into a more technological-driven world.