CURRENT TRENDS IN EDUCATION

The changes that are occurring in the social and cultural life of the society as a result of
the impact of advancements in the science based technology are broadly described as
modernization. Since education is a multi-polar process, it is influenced by the modernization in
different ways. Due to globalization and liberalization, changes occurring in other parts of the
world will also influence the education pattern of a country. Even though certain aspects in the
new trends are painful to those view education as a noble process, they are irresistible in the
current context. Let us see some of the current trends in education.
1. Paedocentric; Student is the focus of the present day education system. The interest is
shifted from the subject matter to the student and the teaching –learning process is largely
directed by the nature and needs of the learner. This basic shift in emphasis from the subject
of instruction to the nature and needs of the learner is based on the mathetic principle. The
term mathetics is derived from the Greek word mathein which means to learn. Mathetics is
the science of behaviour of the pupil undergoing the process of learning. The modern teacher
considers each child as akin to a plant and helps the child to grow according to his abilities
and aptitudes. Teacher helps the child to learn .Progressive educationists like Roussey,
Montessori and others have contributed to the development of a child centered education. As
a result education has become more interested in the whole child, all the thoughts feelings
and actins of the pupil, in this mental and social development rather than presenting some
information to him in a ready made form. In this accordance with this trend, student is
motivated to participate actively in the teaching –learning process. This way of teaching by
eliciting maximum student participatory approach in teaching.
2. Teacher’s role; The model of teacher as the pivotal and dominant figure in education,
presenting a variety of information to pupils has practically disappeared. Modern education
transformed the teacher’s role from a dictator to a friend of students. Teacher of today is
considered as a facilitator of learning, whose main duty is to prepare students for learning by
enabling them to actively participate in the teaching –learning process rather than simply
spoon feeding. The less the pupils rely upon the teacher, the better; a successful teacher must
enable his pupils to do without him. Te changing role of the teacher in education has been the
result of a plurality of interwining influences like philosophical, psychological, social,
 technological and educational. Psychological studies have clearly revealed the influence of
classroom climate and atmosphere in the creation of a fertile learning environment.
3. Activity centered; Modern education is activity centered. We are currently giving more
emphasis on learning by doing. Curriculum of today is organized in terms of the tasks to be
performed and goals to be reached rather than in terms of lesson to be learned. This will
provide knowledge and skills essential for leading a good life. Teacher has to motivate the
children to do experiments, search out facts for themselves and undertake projects.
4. Creative education. One of the most significant trends in today’s school is the
encouragement of creativity .Human advances comes through original thought and
intervention. Creative education is good medium to develop original thought and
intervention.
5. More community participation. Considering the reciprocate relationship between education
and society, this is an expected trend. Education is seeking more community participation for
solving problems. The presence of parent –teacher association in all most every educational
institute is a good example for the community participation. Parent’s participation can also be
elicited through socialized projects and programmes. The result is that parents and the
teachers meet in small and large groups to discuss their common problems. Funding of
various projects in the technical institutes by the industrial sector is also an example of this
trend.
6. More reliance on technology. Technology exerts great influence on education as a tool for
teaching and learning. Judicious use of educational psychology in the development and
practice of educational technology has increased its user friendly nature considerably. Coast
effectiveness of technology based educational programmes is good when compared to the
cost of traditional programmes. Education system is preferring technology empowers new
solutions. Technology will help the teachers to solve the emerging educational problems
created by factors like growing school population, heterogeneity of pupils in schools,
divergent and even confusing needs of learners, rapid development of new information,
expanding curriculum and the social changes arising from modernisation. Developments in
educational technology bring about changes and shifts in educational goals which in turn
stimulate the emergence of new techniques.
7. Increased acceptance of non formal education. Universities and other elite educational
organizations have come out from glass towers for providing non formal education through
study centers and regional centers. Some of them are generating more revenues though
providing non formal education than the formal education. eg correspondence education,
distance education and gaining acceptance from the youth.
8. Restructuring traditional programmes. In order to meet the challenges of globalization,
education system is restructuring the traditional programmes by integrating and correlating
various subjects.
9. Increased opportunities for higher studies. In the present situation, a talented student can
do higher studies irrespective of the economic status. Doors of all elite universities in the
world are kept open for the talented young people and flexible educational loans are available
for meeting the expenses of education.
10. Methods of appraisal. Because of multiple educational goals, a comprehensive system of
evaluation is being evolved. The child progress is judged by the comparison of his own work
and achievements.
11. Innovation in teaching and learning. Lot of innovations are taking place in teaching and
learning on a regular basis. These innovations will help in the intellectual development,
personal development and career development of the youth.
12. Educational quality assurance. Present day education system is more concerned about
quality, cost effectiveness and accountability. Educational quality assurance is a process of
monitoring and evaluating efficiency and effectiveness of educational provision and to
institute remedial measures as and when needed.
13. Emergence of individual as a teaching unit. Class as a unit of teaching is disappearing. As
a result of advancements in instructional planning and evaluation of learning, teachers realize
the existence of widely different backgrounds, differences in student abilities and interest.
14. Commercialization of education and presence of foreign universities. Due to
misappropriation of funds of the society, thereby denying opportunity for education to a vast
majority of people. Since Indian universities are still continuing the age old programmes and
very much reluctant to change according to the new trends in the international level, India
become a gold mine for the foreign universities.
 CURRENT TRENDS IN NURSING EDUCATION
A profession is a dynamic integration of various faculties of knowledge. Since nursing
education is a professional education, it is dynamic by its own nature and thereby giving rise to
trends let us see some of the current trends in nursing education.
1. Curriculum changes
Flexible curriculum designs are evolving to facilitate diversity of educational opportunity
and overcome barriers of distance and time. These curricula are often competency based, focused
on outcome and emphasize student participation and responsibility for learning.
2. Innovation in teaching and Learning
In nursing education, lot of innovations is taking place in areas of teaching and learning.
Invariably these innovations lead to intellectual development personal development and career
development.
3. Educational Quality Assurance
Present day education system is more concerned about quality, cost effectiveness and
accountability. Educational quality assurance is a process of monitoring and evaluating
efficiency and effectiveness of educational provision and to institute remedial measures as and
when needed.
In India, nursing education is flourishing in an unprecedented manner; naturally this will
lead to dilution in the quality of nursing education in the absence of proper quality control
measures. Motivated by this situation, accrediting bodies and nurse educators are expressing
deep concern regarding the quality of nursing education.
4. More Reliance on Technology
Technology exerts greater influences on nursing education as a tool for teaching and
learning. Judicious use of educational psychology in the development and practice of educational
technology has increased its uses friendly nature considerably.
5. Emphasis on High Tech-High Touch Approach
High-tech- High touch approach in nursing care was devised to preserve the human
component of nursing care without determining the advantages of technological advancement in
the field of patient care present day. Nursing education is preparing the students to maintain the
human element of nursing while caring the patient with help of sophisticated gadgets.
 Technology of education is being developed with the aim not only of making education
more widely available but also of improving the quality of education.
6. Increased Acceptance of Non Formal Type of Education
Universities and other elite educational organizations have come out from glass towers
for providing non- formal education through study centre and regional centers. Some of them are
generating more revenues through providing non- formal education than the formal education.
Various forms of non formal education like correspondence education, distance education etc are
gaining acceptance among the youth.
7. Restructuring Traditional Programs
In order to meet the challenges of globalization, education system is restructuring the
traditional programmes by integrating and correlating various subjects.
8. Increased Opportunities for Higher studies
Different from the past many institutions are offering programmes such as post Basic
B.Sc nursing, M.Sc Nursing Phil and PhD. An eligible candidate can easily pursue higher
education without much time lag.
9. Emergence of individual as a teaching unit
Class as a unit of teaching is disappearing, as a result of the advancements in instructional
planning and evaluation of learning; teachers realize the existence of widely different back
ground differences in student abilities and interests.
10. Preparation of global nurse
Nursing education is all set to reap benefits created by globalization and liberalization by
way of preparing global nurses. Many institutions are preparing students with a global
perspective through providing learning experiences to enrich student’s knowledge in English
along with the attainment of other objectives.
11. Transnational acceptance
Nursing educational program in one nation is widely accepted by other nations. Infact
this transnational acceptance is the main reason for the development of nursing education in the
countries like India.
12. Ensuring a promising career
Unlike many other professional education programmes, nursing education ensures a
promising career either in India or abroad. A study conducted by Johnson and Johnson reveals
that nursing education will maintain this status at least for the coming twenty years.
13. Emergence of new specialities
In part with the developments in the medical and allied fields, nursing education is also
offering new specialities to meet the needs of the community.
14. Preference to short term clinical programs than past graduate program
Many graduate nurses prefer short term clinical programmes of six months to one year
like trauma nursing, critical care nursing etc, than post graduate programs while deciding to
go higher studies.