Computer simulations & personal development classes

To solve the drop-out problem, the school/education system can develop or create a classroom activity, which I would like to label Future Development.

This classroom activity or ‘Personal Development Classes’ may be treated as any other subject in class, minus the burden of grades or a grading system. It should encompass the following activities: (1) Goal Setting, a recommended good read that schools can hand out to students would be the book, “Map For Life”, which gives clear guidelines on goal setting; (2) Interest Learning, where  students will learn certain basic principles which are traditionally not taught in the classroom. For example, we are never taught how Pythagoras came up with his theorms, or the significance of some mathematical concepts. In other words, we learn certain concepts like differentiation but it is rarely clarified as to how it became necessary, hence why it is important or relavant.

Personal Development Classes should not however encompass any technicalities but rather brief descriptions of what different topics in different subjects are about. Basically, it would be a brief discussion on the history of different subjects. These activities should be structured in such a way that they pull away the competitive mentality between students and rather encourage group ideas. It should be presented in such a way that it removes the tension that erupts in a classroom setup. For example, instead of one person presenting the topic, the students can watch a movie on evolution, etc.

The third idea is using ‘computer based simulations as teaching tools’. Because some people learn better via experience, schools can introduce various computer based simulations of different work environments which would allow students to experience exactly what they will be doing, eg: Monte Carlo simulations.

This can also come in the form of educational computer games. Websites which host these simulations can be launched in schools. Even companies can be encouraged to launch such websites, which will be accessible to students and in turn increase the company’s revenue streams.

I would suggest that this set of activities be combined into a single 30 minute session that must be conducted once every week, preferably on the last school day, namely, Friday, so that minimal time is taken away from classes.

The Future Development activities are meant to keep the spirits of learners alive by giving them a purpose to study. The simulations will give each student a handy view of what is necessary in their field of interest which will help them understand why they need to be studying particular subjects, and why they need to understand certain theorems, etc. The class discussions will help improve their view of their subjects as well as learn a bit about other subjects outside their field of interest, without the hassle of tests. This will prove to be handy as far as improving their creativity goes, fostering a desire to learn.

Schools can also invite (at least once every three months), some guidance and goal counsellors to try and deal with the influence of peer pressure, stress, sickness etc. As for the families who cannot afford the tuition fees the best solution would be to venture for scholarships, as it not immediately obvious for students and parents alike to know where to acquire information about bursaries.

I would suggest launching a website which presents all this detail, and which would make it easier for students and parents alike to complete and submit university applications.