For all of history, since the caveman times, people used artificial intelligence on their smartphones to complete the homework assigned to them at school. Of course not! Education evolved through several eras defined by technology, culture, and societal needs. What’s the point of this outrageous statement? So you’ll understand education is transitioning to a new era, and you’re a part of it.
What is this new era of education? The One Person Schoolhouse. What makes this era different from the era coming to a close? In the waning era, education was centralized and universal, best analogized by an assembly line.
In this new era of education, you are the only person in the schoolhouse, and you command what you learn, when you learn, how you learn, and from whom you learn. Rather than work twelve years to get a single document proving your accomplishment (a high school diploma), you’ll earn certificates for small segments of learning, like Algebra I. Maybe you earn certificates for Algebra I in thirds, so you experience a series of small successes.
So, you’re unconvinced we’re in a transition period from one era of education to another. What follows is a summation of the eras through which education evolved. Once you see how education has evolved through history, you’ll better understand the significance of the changes you’re experiencing now.
Individuals chart a unique path through their own educational career to achieve an objective specific to them. Given easy and inexpensive access to knowledge thanks to modern technology, an individual may now create a career path by combining multiple areas of expertise in novel ways. Certifications provide proof-of-knowledge to potential employers.
Now
You probably grew up in this era of education. You attended a government grade-based school system or a private school that emulates that framework. Most people earned a high school diploma. You had the opportunity to attend a four-year program at a university, after which you’d have received a degree of some kind.
~1945 to present
Students in this era of education attended school regularly. Schools grew more accessible through this era to females and former slaves. You’ll see centralization and formalization of education grow during this era through government actions. Leaving school without a diploma for economic reasons was common.
~1800 to 1945
You’ll see the beginnings of “modern” education in this era. Books are increasingly available to the average person. Interest in formal education in science, government, and finance, among other subjects, provide the beginnings of centralization. Universities offer extended education for some professions.
~1700 to 1800
The printing press begins to change education. The Renaissance period expands education beyond survival techniques and religion. Arts and other subjects become important.
~1400 to 1700
Education during this era tended to revolve around religious teachings. At this point in human history, a person might still be able to learn much of the knowledge available to humans.
~500 to 1500
Humans created towns and cities, which required administrators, which required education. People needed a written language and at least enough knowledge of mathematics to track account balances. Religious leaders would teach followers and skilled professionals took apprentices. Warriors honed their skills and taught techniques.
~3000 BC to 500 AD
Elders in family units and tribes taught children the skills they needed to survive. Other subjects passed down through the generations included rituals and stories. Prior to the creation of a written language, history was passed down through repetitious recounting.
~Prehistory to 3000 BC
Education evolves. You might not see the process because you’re seeing the transition from the inside. Hopefully the short summary of past eras of education allowed you to differentiate between the new era of education and the era coming to a close.
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