Out of the 20th Century

At first, I felt like this article was too board and made everything sound too simple. After reading through the entire article, I realized this was a good thing. It was allowing people who do not have the prior knowledge (those studying education) to really understand what problems students are facing today and why change is needed. I agree with the article for the most part. There does need to be some sort of change to the education programs in America. However, I have to say it is hard to agree completely, mostly because of how I was raised. It is hard to want to change something I grew up with, but I know that it is necessary. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I had had teaching modeled to me by my teachers, and now I have to go against what many of them did in order to help my own students progress in life. It's something that's really difficult for me. I looked up and respected those teachers. Not to say they were bad teachers, but some of their teachers were old dated.

Okay, I feel like I'm getting off topic now. What would be essential in an English class in the 21st century? Good question. The number one thing, in my opinion, is a sense of voice. Allowing the students to feel like what they said mattered. And not just that it mattered but that they should be proud in what they believed in. Also, along with that, they need to understand that everyone has their own voice and, therefore, should respect the voices of others, even if they don't agree with them. In a world with so much turmoil and violence, there needs to be some lessons in tolerance. They also need to learn how to think for themselves. Don't just regurgitate what Sparknotes says the text represents. Come up with your own ideas. Your own proof. Read the text your own way.