A lot has been said about the deficiency of the American education system. How kids in other countries blow away American students in math and science. Looking back at my own education, I realize I was taught basic principles without knowing how they would apply latter in life. Yes we were taught the “scientific method” and told that we could use it to solve problems, but never did we have an exercise or examples that illustrated its use.
I propose having an education system based on learning by doing. More exercises and demonstrations so kids understand how the principles and techniques apply to everyday life. Teachers and educators need to make these principles and techniques “sticky” so they’re not easily forgotten.
Below are the basic skills that our kids as future employees in organizations will need to be competitive.
- The effects of variation and chaos in their lives and how to reduce it
- How to collect data
- How to analyze data using quality tools
- How to interpret data
- Understand waste and how to eliminate it
- How to make processes flow.
- How to solve problems using the process of elimination (convergent process)
- How to solve problems by brainstorming (divergent process) and coming up with the best solution
- How to work in teams
- How to be a leader
Aren’t future employers also customers of the education system?
Let’s face it, the world is becoming more technologically advanced. Today kids can use computers by the time they’re 5 or 6 years old. It’s our responsibility to give them the skills they need to be competitive in the years and decades ahead.