"Teaching to the Needs of the World."

“Time changes things, which means what was isn’t…” Has time changed or shifted the focus of the students we teach?

I came across a blog on Syracus.com entitled, “Teaching Students Skills that Fit the World.” (http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2010/01/teaching_students_skills_that.html) In a nutshell, the article discussed a shift in the learner needs from basic skills to basic analysis and application. In such an information driven, speedy environment, billions of dollars are spent in solving efficiency and energy issues, engineering focused revisions, and revamps that would eventually save money. As a teacher, is there ever a point where we should shift from teaching basic skills such as arithmetic, writing, and reading to teaching advance skills of analysis, interpretation, and eventual application?

“We can teach as many students as we want how to be great engineers, but if they do not know how to identify a problem and develop a solution, if they need somebody to tell them what to do, if they are not proactive and visionary, and if they cannot apply their skills and abilities to create true value, then they will bring minimal benefit to a prospective employer and our economy in general.” Good education is about fitting the needs of the world into the brains of our youth.