Opinions wanted

[Chadman]

I was just reading in the Market this week thread a review of a post talking about the decline of real estate in large part due to the escalation of online business, meaning brick and mortar businesses no longer being needed or as prevalent. Also mentioned schools and education going online, and the gas that would be saved by teachers not driving to school, multiply that by buses, parents, etc. And energy costs, and books, etc. It got me to thinking...

I am currently hoping to start teaching in two years or so. The thought really never occurred to me that actual schools might be phased out at some point, but it makes some sense. Does anything think that this is something that might happen before I would retire in 15-20 years or so? Certainly, technology and ingenuity is accelerating rapidly these days. I guess I'd just never given it a second thought - and that includes when I am taking some classes myself online.

Thoughts? I think I'm safe, but man, it kind of sent a shiver down my spine. The economy could be problematic, but I'm hopeful it comes back by the time I'm trying to get hired. Also got me thinking about investments, future thinking. How much will we actually DO online, and what are the ramifications of all that? Interesting.

 

[fletcher]

That will never happen, you will be fine. there has been online and tv classes since the late 80's you will be just fine.

 

[freelancc]

teachers will always be needed.. like police and firemen. it just depends of the city, and the budget they have set up for education.

 

[Trampled Underfoot]

I don't believe it will ever get to the point where you won't see most teachers in the classroom. Plus online classes still need teachers.

 

[dawgball]

It wouldn't hurt to see what opportunities there are for you as a teacher outside of the classroom.

The good news is that the pay can't be much worse.

I'm still hoping that our education system gets blown up from its current state and re-built at some point.

For the most part, our education system is not that different than when my grandfather was in elementary school. It is an industry that has done virtually nothing truly innovative to improve the education experience that actually leads to better prepared graduates.

 

[Chadman]

While I certainly don't think anything will happen before I'm able to retire, it just made me stop and think a little bit. The Internet is really changing a lot of things in the world these days.

I'm not getting into teaching for the money, I'm getting into it to work with young people - high school age - and to be able to coach and get paid for it. I've been in advertising and design for many years, and I'm just sick and tired of the rollercoaster ride and lack of fulfillment.

I know there are teachers that do work from home and teach all over the country (and the world), but that's not what I'm looking to do. I WANT the in-class experiences, the give and take with the high-schoolers. The school experience is something I enjoyed back in high school, and I still like it coaching and going to the school with the stepson. I think they are some pretty cool people, and I hope I can make a difference in some of their lives someday. I'm really glad I got back in school and am back reading and working in the english area. I'd forgotten how much I like to read in the past 20 years, and I'm thinking I can give a different perspective to those kids about blowing off college the first time around. (Didn't totally blow it off, but didn't complete things for a variety of reasons.).

 

[Lookn4help]

Classroom

Classroom

some friends and I were just talking about this last night. I think the brick and morter school will continue, what I see in the future is NO BOOKS everything online or IPhone or these "electrictronic books". If you have real books save them they will probably be the next collectable. I have taught for many years and loved the interaction when you see the light go on.....I think you'll do fine if you truly want to teach and may even take advantage of mentoring, God knows there are plenty of students who are looking for the help.

 

[Trampled Underfoot]

some friends and I were just talking about this last night. I think the brick and morter school will continue, what I see in the future is NO BOOKS everything online or IPhone or these "electrictronic books". If you have real books save them they will probably be the next collectable. I have taught for many years and loved the interaction when you see the light go on.....I think you'll do fine if you truly want to teach and may even take advantage of mentoring, God knows there are plenty of students who are looking for the help.

There is a ton of money in selling school books. They might fight to keep that going!

 

[Old School]

as long as babies keep making babies and mothers need built in babysitters ..those trained to educate will always have a job..

a good paying job ..:shrug:

a safe enviroment job..:shrug:

a rewarding job..:shrug:


got to admire someone who wants to educate the young..

ya got nerves of steel..

5th grader tossed just last week here..

HANDGUN.... "taking care of business"




carry on...I'll be fishing

 

[Keyser Soze]

Maybe you could get the guys pager number that owns all of the pay phones and ask him.............

In all seriousness, I do applaud you for wanting to be an educator. A very difficult job these days. Under paid, under appreciated and it gets worse every year.

Good luck to you.

 

[UGA12]

I have been in the classroom/coached for 8 years and have seen a lot of things change but this will simply never become the norm(at least in the next 100 years). Sure online classes will increase and the number of teachers may decrease, but because of socioeconomics there will always be a need for a location students can be educated face to face. Got many gripes about education in America(specifically Ga), but dont feel like getting all worked up. From a teaching standpoint the one thing I will tell you is that knowledge is the most overrated trait in the profession. The ability to connect with and engage students is far more important, and unfortunantly something in my opinion that you either have or dont. Sure you have to have a hold of the basics, but I cant tell you the number of teachers (that I am sure are smarter than me) I have seen fail because they couldnt get by on "smarts" alone. Good luck as it is a very rewarding profession, but there are still plenty of headaches. Not as much with the kids for me, but rather the bureaucratic bullshit that goes on within the system we have.