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A. Some Challenges in Modern Times
We live in an era in which globalization becomes a moving force that cannot be stopped, and technology is progressing so rapidly that we can
hardly imagine what the world may look like in twenty years’ time. Although man has made such an astounding achievement in
communication and technology, the basic human rights and needs are still facing threats and challenges arising from injustice and domination of the
rich and powerful, which are in fact magnified by the modern progress itself. Education is being and has long been challenged by these unfair
outcomes of our modern times. Its main duty is to make the young people aware of unfairness and injustice that are still dominating the world and
make them move and do something to solve the problems. The following are some examples of the challenges, summarized and concluded from
several articles on post-modern education Cobussen, 2011; Finch, 2010; Fahim Pishghadam, 2009.
1. Efficiency as the goal of education There is a great challenge from the present with regard to the
emphasis on the learner’s competence. By having good competence a person will become an efficient “worker.” Efficiency is essentially the major
goal of modern education. This is in fact part of the goals of capitalism, in which education is an instrument to produce people with high competence.
The problem is whether a person the learner should be an instrument that is used misused by hisher superiors or be an independent subject
that decides hisher own course of life. 2. The big influence of multimedia
Multimedia are quickly replacing our direct physical experiences. Long distance meetings are now possible. Competency in dealing with the
use of multimedia becomes essential. The teacher should be aware of this phenomenon and act in such a way that the learner will not become the
victim of overuse of the multimedia, but heshe can make use of the technology to quicken hisher self-actualizing process.
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3. The reduction of education Education is reduced to the reproduction of the values of the
dominant society. Education reduces difference to sameness and various meanings to a single meaning. Students are not encouraged to have
different perspectives. If they want to survive they have to follow what is instructed by their instructors teachers or textbooks’ writers.
Reproduction is more important than change or creativity, which is a big challenge for today’s education.
4. Rapid change Rapid change is a challenge for everybody. It seems that an
educated person is the one who knows how to learn to change and adapt. Old methods and analyses should be replaced by newer ones. New
knowledge and technology are temporary because they will soon become obsolete. All changes happen quickly and we will be left behind if we do
not change and adapt. 5. Centralization vs. decentralization
We are now living in a decentralization mode. Decentralization in many aspects of life is considered
more “fashionable” than centralization. In education a centralized curriculum in which goals, objectives, processes,
and evaluation are decided and planned by the central government may become out of date. A more decentralized, contextualized curriculum is
preferred and this gives real challenge to local education authorities, principals, teachers, and students.
6. Commercialization of education Commercialization of education can now be seen in big cities.
Thriving private language English institutes and state examination preparation institutes reflect this phenomenon. Gaining knowledge is not
about finding truth. It hardly aims at promoting justice. It is common to connect knowledge gained in schools and universities with future jobs and
wages. Knowledge is considered worthwhile if its financial reward is big. All of these are our big challenge.
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The challenges above will, hopefully, make teachers find strategies to reduce the negative effects of the modern age on education and to
improve the present state of education. One of the ways to do these is that after becoming aware of what post-modern views try to offer to us, we do
something accordingly, for example, by making our English instruction prioritize fairness, reduce commercialization of education, and promote
equity and creativity.
B. Major Principles of Self-Actualization Education