Liberal Arts Future for Higher Education

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Liberal Arts Future for Higher Education

Megan Smiyh

April 2012

    Liberal Arts Future for Higher Education

　

Making the decision to alter my current career path towards becoming a professional educator, and making the decision to enroll in a Masters of Arts and Higher Education Specialization program, has been one of the most empowering moves of my life; and as I begin the academic endeavor, towards becoming a higher education specialization professor, the more I am certain that this is path of life that suites me best . When considering an area of academia to focus on, there are so many options available, but ultimately the spirit and passions of arts and literature continue to call me back after all these years of education. The worldly beauty and cultural essences of literature, poetry, creative writing, prose, and philosophy have weaved thick threads throughout the tapestry of my adolescence and young adulthood. As these artistic threads continue to evolve within my own life’s tapestry, I can see how they also play a role in the overall tapestry of societies and cultures that weave together around the globe. Literature and Arts are great academic tools, and as we continue to evolve intellectually and spiritually as humans, the threads of the arts can help to bind our humanity together. My path towards becoming a professor of literature and arts has been fueled by the passions for liberal arts, but also my burning aspiration to share them to the next generation of students. The more I learn, the more I understand the importance of cultural evolution within the United States of America, and the more I am convinced that these changes need to begin with our education systems.

The history of the United States of America’s education system began with a stamp from the Europeans, The education system began with the framework of Europeans ideals brought to a new continent, and was influenced by the religions and belief systems held superior by the early Europeans. The foundations laid forth originally and were very clever and effective and gave the education system a great beginning with the origination of the nation. In our textbook, a passage states, “Today’s concern for universal education is a continuation of a trend that became pronounced during the Reformation. Many church leaders believed that the Bible was the repository of all wisdom; hence, it was desirable for all to learn to read so they might have access to its truths. Later, during the Renaissance, a growing emphasis on the worth and the importance of the individual evolved. Our schools’ concern for meeting individual differences developed from this perspective,” (Armstrong, Page 209). The country has come along way since this time of history. Since early colonization, America has grown into a melting pot of diversity and cultures from all around the world. America and has allowed freedoms and liberties to all individuals belief systems and religions, and yet, the education structures are lagging behind performances and abilities other developed countries.

America is currently facing a crucial and critical turning point for education structures, and in order to break out of the framework of cultural biases and religious restrictions, that have kept us from moving forward, we must continue to demand changes and demand rights, as educators and learners, to allow access for future growth and developments for generations to come. The time has come to challenge all old foundations if we are to advance along with the developments of other great nations. In an article titled, Higher Education; New Report Finds Modest Gains in America's College Attainment Rates; Speed of Progress Must be Accelerated to Improve Our Nation's Prospects, the editor states, “As college completion rates continue to climb in other parts of the world, a new report released by Lumina Foundation shows that we must do significantly more to build on the modest gains in higher education attainment seen here at home. Experts gathered at the Rayburn House Office Building to announce the latest findings, highlight what is working and discuss how a stronger sense of urgency is needed to better position America for success in the knowledge economy,”(Education Letter, April 2012). Currently, we must work to advance the foundations developed by the Puritanical European, and evolve the restrictions and limited access to knowledge, in order to get to the next level of education. This evolution in education is vital for the success of future Americans, and we need for young adults to be prepared for the competition that will come other countries advancements. The stubbornness for our original education structures is the barrier that is keeping American from advancing along with other developed countries. In time, if not adjusted, the delays in advancing could be damaging and detrimental to future generations.

We can begin by preparing students. The importance of preparing learners for higher education in America, is in a way, going to help to keep us aligned with other great nations around the world. With advances in other counties they are creating new and improved standards of education, and soon we will be in a great race with them. The barrier America laid out in education systems, the limitation and restrictions of information and knowledge, is still in the process of breaking open, but technology and the internet are speeding up that process. We are entering a new age of technology and are no longer limited to hard copy resources, the World Wide Web evolved the elements of research, and the advancements towards the growth and adaptation of information and knowledge, it at our countries fingertips. Other developed countries are ahead of us, but we have the means to catch up quickly. In our textbook, it states, “The history of education is complex and does not offer simple answers to contemporary issues. However, it does provide a context and case studies that can help us evaluate current education practices and proposals for change. When reviewing history, we need to consider why a particular educational practice was established. Does that practice still meet a need? As proposals for change are put forward, we need to consider if that proposal meets new needs or if it is something that will take us in directions that are inconsistent with our deeply held values. A basic purpose for the study of the history of education is that it provides a rich understanding of the issues we need to consider as we make decisions about change and the future,”( Armstrong, pages 204-205). With modern times advancing, with new age technology, education will continue to change fast as the speed of light. America is responsible for assuring the success of future citizens, and we educators have the knowledge and tools available, and it is up to educators and states to tackle the importance of understanding new technologies and catching up to the speeds of other great nations currently leading. Ultimately, the future means recreating educational paths using technologies available, and utilizing communications with other nations in learning new methods or techniques towards goals of higher education with multicultural material and world views. In an articles by Karen Jenkins titled, From Rwanda to Israel to South Africa, Collaboration Yields Dialogue, Hope and Shelter in a Broken World, she makes a strong argument, “Nations the world over are grappling with economic uncertainty, and the U.S. has not been immune, with people in poor communities being hit the hardest. Contentious negotiations over raising the federal debt limit culminating in a last-minute deal containing trillions in discretionary spending cuts have caused further worries, exacerbated by concerns the cuts will hit the most vulnerable. The most important investment - whether at the local, state or national level - is education. An educated and well-informed citizenry is critical to the long-term health of a country. If the U.S. expects to maintain a leading and competitive advantage in science, technology, industry as well as culture, then everyone needs to receive a quality education,”(Diverse Issues in Higher Education Journal, 2011). Jenkins illustrates the urgency for the United States to rise to the calling in this time of economic struggle, and represent education in conjunction with other countries. We have faced economic hardships in America, enough in this country to even gain compassion for other countries and their struggles now and in the past. Now that we, as a world, are all part of this great struggle, we are reaching the point where we will be sinking or swimming globally. In order to continue swimming through this economic corruption, we must unite with other nations and assist them in their struggles to swim as well, and together we can unify and bring about changes in the world that are necessary for survival of humans in the future of this planet. If there is no cooperation, then it seems that globally there could be major devastation, and so by integrating innovations and ideas with other nations, we can continue to be a strength, an influence, and to help other areas of the world developing, and even learn from what they have to teach us.

It is imperative that America focus on changes in our education structures, and necessary in order to remain a leading figure for other countries to admire. Jenkins continues to explain in the same article, “At the same time, we need to engage in the exchange of ideas with people from other parts of the world. The speed and power of electronic technology allows educators and students to communicate and even see one another across time and great distances. But there is no substitute for visiting another country, engaging with people face to face, examining their solutions to problems and learning to communicate in their language. Educational exchanges afford others the opportunity to learn about the United States, the diversity of its people, and understand why American innovation is the envy of so many people around the world. The United States' commitment to support international exchange programs represents a fraction of federal spending yet is one of the best investments of taxpayer dollars. The Fulbright program is one example that focuses on individual recipients. At the other end of the spectrum is the Higher Education for Development, or HED, which fosters partnerships between universities in the United States and developing countries,”(Diverse Issues in Higher Education Journal, 2011). Therefore, we can look towards the future of this country with a bit more brightness. Like she mentioned, so many other cultures and nations have always looked up to America for the innovative ways of living. In order to hold that stature, we must now access the ability technology lends us towards bettering our relationships with these other nations. America must invest in the development of education, we much change our desires to upgrade buildings and fund wars, and we must force funds towards the future of the education structure, in order to survive and eventually thrive again as a country. We, as Americans, need to take finances seriously, and account for the spending that is unnecessary and excessive, in order to fund education systems and there integrity it the future of the global economy and society.

The funding for Liberal Arts in Higher Education, has been debated and scrutinized. Citizens argue we do not need to fund this area of education based on importance or relevance to modern times. Many feel the language arts hold no prospects at all for developing Americans, and aiming them towards ultimate successes. And really, as a country we need to redefine what it means to be successful. Does success mean owning several properties, and having a lot of money? Perhaps. But does success also man happiness, contentment, knowledge, and understanding? We are at a contradiction of times in America. And no matter how many people shoot down funding the arts, when considering myself as a professor of liberal arts for higher education, I am continually reminded how the liberal arts in education can assist us, in understanding and accepting cultures and diversities from all over the world. This is the fundamental of liberal arts, to allow people to understand the creativity and unique perspectives from around the globe, to gain understandings through reading and studying different forms of arts from around the world. In order for nations to coexist in the future in harmony we must learn to understand each other better. We must step outside of the box of judgment, and assess the differences and uniqueness that have kept us separated as a humanity. By arguing the borders of the American classroom traditions and challenging them, we as educators and learners can then allow access to deeper intellectual growth and compassion for mankind in the future. Upon researching different curriculums and practices for liberal arts at a higher education, Hartwick College located in Oneonta, New York, seemed to be one of the most positive responses to liberal arts academia structure, and presented excellent strategies. In the article, Liberal Arts in Practice, the editor explains, “At Hartwick, we create experience for life, that's why we've designed our curriculum and teaching approaches to break down the barriers separating the classroom from the world, allowing students to learn "out there" and bring that experience back, making your time in the classroom more engaging and effective. Hartwick's expansive Liberal Arts in Practice curriculum merges traditional liberal arts study, personalized teaching, and experiential learning. Add to that a wide range of off-campus internships, collaborative research, study abroad opportunities, and Hartwick prepares students for the world ahead, (Hartwick College Home Page, April 2012). With this addressed, a lot of the education effectiveness comes from different teaching methods. The more variety and variances on methods of learning that are engaged by learners, the more each individual can flourish. Here at this school they focus on diversifying the lessons and expanding different types of projects, that allow students to participate more, and directed into actions when learning. One of Hartwick Colleges methods, begins, “Students and faculty work together on a wide variety of projects, from scientific research to artistic interpretation to social service projects abroad. Hartwick funds a number of awards each year to support such projects, and students often collaborate with their professors on research,”(Hartwick College Home Page, April 2012). For example that I admire, at this college, is how they work with different methods of learning to diversify the experiences of education. When students are expected to memorize and comprehend with only a lecturer and a book, a part of the mind is not accessed. The mind can memorize and recollect, but nothing is implanted in the long term memory through this repetitious methods. We can, however, remember things that happen to us with experience, remember experiences that handed out life lessons, common sense lessons, and these recollections make up much of what our long term memory has stored. With the same effects, academia can not leave permanent impressions on the memory without teaching it through methods that involve several different types of activities and exercises. In addition to different activities, Hartwick College offers opportunities to study abroad, opportunities to align with professors and other students with research projects, and changes to engage in local community activities related to education areas. All these different methods are available to help students begin their integration to society and the working world where they will go after finishing school. These methods all remind me of what our textbook refers to as constructivism. “A recent development related to progressivism ideas is development of constructivism. Constructivism holds that individuals do not passively record and store things in their minds to be recalled at a later date. Rather, individuals continuously reconstruct their concepts and create meaning as a result of the interaction between their prior knowledge and new experience. This is very similar to the progressive emphasis on experience and the importance of allowing students the freedom to search for their own meanings,”(Armstrong, page 267). This is the method, the constructivism, that can open doorways of opportunities for future students, and give them changes to store information and recall information, without having everything forced. As a future educator, I hope to find methods similar to these, and even better, as times change, so that every student can have the same opportunity to gain what knowledge is necessary for worldly success survival. It is empowering to think of how much influence we can have now on children that will one day be the operators of society. Educators hold the keys to opening learning skills for different times of intelligences, so that future students can access different abilities within themselves and so we have strong Americans when we are up against some challenges the future may bring.

Arguments against funding education of Liberal Arts at a Higher Education will most likely continue for future generations, but usually these premises are based on the notion that materials are irrelevant. The materials can seem ’too flowery’ or ’to elusive’, and in a lot of cases considers matter more related to enjoyment and creativity. However, in America we need to reconsider the essential aspects of developing creativity and imagination as advancements. Because these are the elements, imagination and creativity, that made us endure, perseverance, and evolve as a species. Accessing the parts of our brains that utilize the imagination are just as vital to our survival and growth into adulthood. Imagination is vital when learning integrations with other societies and nations. As I work to enter a career as a professor of Liberal Arts, I do so knowing the importance in the lessons that I was taught while earning my liberal arts degree from the University of Iowa. The various professors and lessons in liberal arts prepared me for a world of diversity outside of America. I was given tools to analyze, incorporate, consider, and evaluate every person as an individual. The more I learned about all the differences among various nations around the world, the more I realized how little I knew about the world. Liberal Arts allowed me to open my mind to the endless possibilities and potentials, and it taught me the intrinsic beauty of human nature and the evolution of mankind towards the written works and art forms. Everything that we do in our modern times, all came about from mankind’s ingenuities from the past, and at some point we evolved and began to record our history and began to be thinkers. Without the imagination to begin to wonder, and gaze, we would never have come to where we are at currently at this point in history. One article from Chronicles in Higher Education: Saving the Life of the Mind, journalist Goldie Blumenstyk states, “On some campuses, budget pressures are squeezing disciplines like German and philosophy into exile or extinction. And all but the wealthiest of liberal-arts colleges are questioning how long they can stay true to their missions. But there's another side to this picture. Welcome to the new liberal arts. At the very time America may most need the liberal-arts traditions of robust inquiry, curricular breadth, and a focus on critical thinking, that genre of education is struggling against a tide of waning student interest and unprecedented financial duress. "Society has changed, our values have changed, and the economy hasn't helped," notes Robert C. Dickeson, a consultant who has spent his career in higher education as a faculty member, college president, and foundation official,”(Blumenstyk. Feb 28, 2010). Like she said, America needs the liberal art traditions in becoming smarter and more sophisticated people. We need liberal arts to remind us of the kindness and creativity human nature entails. We need the liberal arts to keep us human on some level, and give us distinctions as nations and cultures. Therefore, liberal arts seem to be one of the fundamentals necessary for the development of our country towards unifying with other nations. We also have to consider the current state of our nation, and find new and innovative ways to make changes. Society is defined by the education system, and society is determined by how students are educated to survive in the future. In our textbook, it states, “Because our entire society benefits when learners have productive experiences in school, many outside our profession have a keen interest in what goes on in the schools. This interest has led to efforts to establish partnerships of various kinds between public schools and other agencies and organizations. For example, many colleges and universities around the country now link with specific schools for the purpose of helping them develop academic programs that will adequately prepare graduates for the demands of higher education. In some places, social agencies have established ties with schools that are designed to make their services moor readily available to learners,”(Armstrong, page 74). Times are changing quicker and more frequently than ever before, and technology has handed out a dynamic assistances, and it is up to our nation to find positive ways to recreate the education path for future generations. In order for these future generations to be in configuration with future generations of other nations, we must utilize the various aspects technology has to offer educators and the education structures. Currently, America is still considered a powerhouse, and we must employ our higher education skills in our communications and conjunctions and co operations with other developed countries.

Technology is inevitably changing, updating, and advancing our education system, without us even having the effect. Educators of the future are facing the crucial curve of transitions into these technological advancements. The shift has comes for mankind, a shift unlike any recorded in history, a shift into the vast dimensions of technology; and the shift is changing the way we have shaped education and challenging the foundations and traditions of academia all across the seven continents. There is no turning back for future educators and students, the changes technology has brought are revolutionizing our daily lives, and the success of future generations depends a lot on mastering technologies that have changed our world and become part of how we function. In a recent article, Higher Education; Pearson to Host Higher Education Technology Leaders at Cite 2012, it states, “ Innovative technologies continue to transform higher education. Our annual Cite conference is a forum for education leaders who are focused on delivering highly successful online programs to engage in a dialogue about innovations in learning," said Don Kilburn, Vice Chairman of Pearson Higher Education and CEO of Pearson Learning Solutions,”(Information Technology Newsweekly, 2012). There is awareness of technologies and changes happening currently. There is a lot of work being done to understand the new elements of technology and to implement them into lessons. Through the process of progressing education to the next level with technology, the trials and tribulations are mostly in the hands of current and future educators, and our mastery of technology will be the initial bricks in the new road of academia. The more we pursue the paths technology has to offer, the more we can quickly learn from each other from all around the globe.

In another similar article, Higher Education; Leading Thinkers Convene to Hack the Future of Higher Education, a different group of researchers cohere in tackling different methods of technology in order to upgrade learning environments. They discuss exchanging, as a collaborative workshop, to help advance the innovators working towards the revolutions, “Exchange session structures will include Lightning Talks: Flashes Of Insight, where presenters outline groundbreaking initiatives they are working on and key challenges in pursuing their work -- in 5 minutes or less. Then participants will engage in Prototyping The Future Of Higher Ed by breaking into interdisciplinary teams to design learning environments for the future,”(Technology Business Journal, 2012). In a way, these exchanges will force researchers to use to technology in discussions and debates and workshops. Most positively, innovators in America are accessing different capacities of technology, as I sit here righting this paper. It has happening now, the change, and the changes that comes from these rapid advancements in technology and communication, will alter the paths of education forever. As a future educator, I am exited to be a part of this period in time where desperation is calling out to our education systems, as our national rankings declines, we must innovate and make some major changes. We are descending the crucial curve of transitions into these technological advancements. Future educators must brave up to this challenge, and with courage and perseverance through the changing process. With technology and the changing times we mark a period in history that will change education permanently. Americans can develop a mastery of technology, but we must act quickly as a country, so we do not fall behind other nations, and we will lay the initial bricks in the new road of academia. In a hundred years, when students are reading about the history of education, they will see how the 21^st century educators and innovators sparked the torch that will be handed over to the future generations to come, and the future will be as bright as future educators allow it to be.

As I mentioned in the beginning of the essay, that as I begin the academic endeavor, towards becoming a higher education specialization professor, the more I am certain that this is path of life that suites me best . Liberal Arts will be the area of education that I want work towards unraveling over the course of my career and life. Liberal Arts have always mesmerized me, and brought beauty and sweetness to my life, and liberal arts education has shaped my personality to be adaptive and diverse with other people and other belief systems. We are living in a progressive time period and elements of are daily lives are changing quicker than ever before, and education is part of the great change taking place internationally and worldwide. As a future educator, I look forward to taking part in the changes that come with technology and how it will effect the future of education. As I said in the beginning, liberal art education hand me the tools for life, which for me, make my life more meaningful. Liberal arts taught and me the spirit and passions to see the worldly beauty and learn cultural essences through pieces of literature, poetry, creative writing, prose, and philosophy and many others, they have all weaved thick threads throughout the tapestry of my adolescence and young adulthood. As I further my careers as a liberal arts educator, I hope to teach other students the little treasures of the world of mankind. I hope to be able to utilize progressivism as teaching methods, and have the change to give future students a variety of learning mechanisms that are adapted to the modern times. As things change quickly with technology, I hope to adjust with the quickness; but more I hope to be part of the evolution of education towards a global unity of knowledge, and a worldwide acceptance of wisdom and success. Future educators can change the path for the better for the next generation of learners. We can empower students with their own abilities and individualities, and teach them the path towards global unity of knowledge and cultures, and we can do so through innovating our education systems with all the new elements modern times have to offer.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

References

Armstrong, D. H. (2009). Teaching today: An Introduction to Education (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River , NJ: Pearson. (Armstrong, D., Henson, K., & Savage, T., 2009).

Information Technology Newsweekly Editors. (2012) Higher Education; Pearson to Host Higher Education Technology Leaders at Cite 2012. Retrieved from the Information Technology Newsweekly, Atlanta, April 2012, page 713. Web site:

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=4&did=2625900381&SrchMode=2&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1334025792&clientId=74379

Technology Business Journal Editors. (2012). Higher Education; Leading Thinkers Convene to Hack the Future of Higher Education. Retrieved from the Technology and Business Journal, Atlanta, April 2012, page 688. Web site:


http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=2622099271&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=74379&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Education Letter. (2012). Higher Education; New Report Finds Modest Gains in America's College Attainment Rates; Speed of Progress Must be Accelerated to Improve Our Nation's Prospects Atlanta: April 2012, pg. 149. Web site: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=2625795361&sid=2&Fmt=3&clientId=74379&RQT=309&VName=PQD



Diverse Issues in Higher Education: From Rwanda to Israel to South Africa, Collaboration Yields Dialogue, Hope and Shelter in a Broken World. Author Karen Jenkins. Fairfax: August 18, 2011, Vol 28, Iss.14; pg. 38, 2 pages

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=2439436701&sid=2&Fmt=3&clientId=74379&RQT=309&VName=PQD

　

The Chronicle of Higher Education: Saving the Life of the Mind. Special Reports Issue. Editor: Goldie Blumenstyk. Retrieved from The Chronicles of Higher Education website, Article February 28, 2010. Web Site:

http://chronicle.com/article/Colleges-Transform-the-Liberal/64398/

The Hartwick College Home Page: Section: Liberal Arts in Practice. Collaboration of editors and professors from Hartwick College April 2012. Retrieved from The Hartwick College Home Page. Web Site:


http://www.hartwick.edu/about-us/diversityhome