1. By: Paticia Stukes April 7, 2014 Current Trends, Challenges, & Issues in Education

2. Introduction Technology Multicultural Education Committed Teachers Scheduling/Length of School Year Common Core Implementation 3. # 1 Trend = Technology Rationale: Teachers are required to teach by implementing technology into their lessons. Considering they barely existed just five years ago, online networks have quickly changed the landscape in terms of how we connect with others around the world. . . . Learning is no longer fixed in time and space; it can happen anytime and anywhere that we are connected. Will Richardson (2009, pp. 2829) Student Effect: It is the new way of learning. Technology has given our students another way of learning and applying information. Students can take classes through virtual school and there are many online school for students k-12 Students are able to access information quickly. 4. # 2 Challenge = Multicultural Education Rationale: The learning process for diverse students can be very different. Diversity can come in many forms: personality, race, ethnic background, gender, religion, class, and many more forms. As a teacher, it is my duty to make learning possible for all my students. This is why we as teachers should consider the different ways that students may learn and understand how diversity impacts classroom dynamics. According to Howard Gardner, "human beings have nine different kinds of intelligence that reflect different way of interacting with the world" (Gardner,1983). Student Effect: Students can use the content being taught and apply it to real life situations Students learn from one another Students are able to have an authentic experience Creates an environment where there is collaborative learning Helps students build an understanding of themselves and their place in the world 5. #3 Challenge = Committed Teachers Rationale: There should be teachers who are passionate about their jobs. Teachers are faced with so many other duties until their tasks are never ending. Passionate and committed teacher are there to help students learn and be successful. Student Effect: Students look up to teachers who are committed and caring Student may not always have access to a committed and caring teacher The students education will be affected by teacher According to Kellough & Kellough (2011) Students respond best to teachers who provide leadership and who enjoy their function as role models, advisors, mentors, and reflective decision makers (pg. 13). 6. # 4 Trend, Issue, & Challenge = Scheduling /Length of School Year Rationale: There are many countries that have their students in school all year. Most of these students have higher academic abilities. Most of the schools in the United States starts in August and end around May and June. According to Kellough & Kellough (2011) To maximize the learning time, to allow for more instructional flexibility, and to accommodate common planning time for teachers, since the late 1960s, schools have tried a variety of forms of nontraditional scheduling (pg. 8). Schools have the option of using Block Scheduling, flexible block scheduling, & flexible modular Student Effect: Student and teachers both deserve to have breaks from each other When students are out of school for a period of time they tend to lose a great deal of the information they learned Teachers deserve to have quality planning time to prepare their lessons to meet the needs of the students 7. # 5 Issue = Common Core Implementation Rationale: There is a shift in educational delivery and instruction Common Core Standards have been designed to ensure that students are gaining the knowledge and retaining the information needed to succeed in college and beyond Common Core is supposed to help student become college and career ready Common Core was designed to make sure students are all learning the same information According to Bidwell (2014), "Standards only work if everyone in the system understands what they are and understands how to get there. Student Effect: All students are sure to learn the same information Students may not be challenged based on their abilities The future implementation of common core standards will determine how well it works 8. References Bidwell, A. (2014, February 13). Critics Say Growth in Common Core Delays Hurts Students, Teachers. US News. Retrieved April 7, 2014, from http://www.usnews.com/news/special-reports/a-guide-to- common-core/articles/2014/02/13/critics-say-growth-in-common-core- delays-hurts-students-teachers Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: the theory of multiple intelligences. New York: Basic Books. Kellough, R. D., & Kellough, N. G. (2011). Secondary school teaching: A guide to methods and resources (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Allyn & Bacon.