Old Education System vs. New Schools. What is Better?

You might have heard, especially when in a circle of seniors, that the old education system is better than the modern
education system. Education, a systematic approach of progressive learning for mental capacity building, is all about dynamism. If
you observe neutrally you will find that the ‘old vs. new’ education system debate is mainly focused on content structure,
changing medium, and of course the purpose-driven outcome i.e. employability.

When it comes to passing the verdict on a better choice between old and new education systems, one needs to
understand the core goal of education in the context of contemporary socio-economic realities. Unlike the old education system,
when it was more focused on individuality and exclusivity as there wasn’t much load on the system, the modern education
system evolved to serve the masses on a large scale. Although the core goal of education remains to be progressive ‘mental
capacity’ building, at least in theory, the old school of thought often complains about the lack of value creation in new schools.

Criticism isn’t totally invalid, but it also ignores the advantages of a modern education system based on science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Unlike the traditional classroom-based books and theoretical learning, modern
education is taking it beyond the page limits of the traditional system to learning through experimentation and experience. If you
are worried about selecting the right education system, here is the simple comparison between old and new schools to help you
judge better:

Theoretical or Practical Learning

The old education system is basically focused on imparting knowledge through books and numbers. Students might be well
versed in theoretical aspects of learning, but lack the skill to implement learning in the practical world. The modern education
system maintains the balance of theoretical and practical learning. In new schools, the emphasis remains on igniting the passion
for practical learning and building the inquisitive thinking process. This helps in shaping the highly curious and creative mind,
ready for understanding the complexity, from all possible dimensions.

 Robotic or Creative Mind

The old education system might be perfect, with defined rules and regulations, in producing equal minds with the robotic temperament of
replication. This system, where everything is defined in the right or wrong parameter, leaves no room for curiosity, creativity, and
experimentation. On the other hand, the modern education system shapes the mind for creative thinking with the freedom to question and find
suitable answers through experimentation.

 Memorization or Critical Thinking

Progressive learning is common in both the old and new schooling system. In the traditional education system, the focus remains on
imparting subject-specific theoretical knowledge and memorization based evaluation and progression. The new schooling system has been
scientifically designed to trigger the passion for experimental learning based on critical thinking. They learn to question and mobilize
resources to find practical solutions. The activity-centric approach shapes students in a better manner face the realities of the world with
open thinking and desired flexibility. Unlike the old system where one is taught about the occurrence of certain phenomena, the new
schools train students to question and seek answers for what, why, and how.
 Boring Lectures or Interactive Learning
 The old education system is solely based on chapter-wise lectures and routine evaluations through
examinations. Frankly, the effectiveness of the sermon-model is questionable and students, except exceptions, find it
extremely difficult to grasp anything in a live classroom. Unlike this boring approach, the new schools offer an open-system
of learning beyond books, classrooms, and lectures. Students in new schools learn through informative interactivity. The
interactive approach helps students in learning effective communication, team management, leadership, and several other
real-life skills.
 Stressful Grading or Enjoyable Scoring
The old education system is totally based on memorized performance. One gets good, better or best grades only based on the
memorization parameter. The focus remains only on knowing not understanding concepts. On the other hand, the new schooling system
emphasizes critical-thinking based understanding of concepts with real-life experimentation and application. In the modern system, it is
not just about memorization but smart memorization based on practicality. Unlike stressful learning in the old education system, students
in new schools find it very easy and enjoyable to learn and score.
The modern education system is once again heading towards individuality and exclusivity, thanks to the digital technological
advancements making it possible to track and shape students according to core skills. It is now possible to look beyond the
scorecards and let students flourish in a free atmosphere and be what they want to be with an open and inquisitive mind.

MODERN EDUCATION V.S TRADITIONAL EDUCATION

The modern education system, the new method of education and the traditional education system our primitive method of education.

There arise many confusions between modern education system and primitive education system. Modern education relies on

computers and the internet. when the learners are considering to choose between online or traditional education, the difference that

comes to their mind is obviously is the difference between sitting in front of a computer and sitting in a traditional classroom. These are

not only the difference in online and traditional education, but there is also a difference in learning style, technology, learning

environment, etc. which affects the learner. Let’s see what are the differences in modern and traditional education.

Modern education system

Modern education is mainly online. The online learning favours independent learning methods. Online learners must be self-directed

towards achieving their academic goals and should be self-motivated. It mainly relies on the visual way of learning. Let’s look at the

advantages and disadvantages of the modern education system.

Advantages of the modern education system

Distant education: You can study at any university. Even if you can’t go there or you can’t pay for it, this enables you to study online

from home. Every university also gives importance to distance learning. Distance learning helps you pick any course that fits you and

your career.

Flexibility: You can learn from anywhere at any time,  no need of travelling to a campus. You are able to learn at your pace an

convenience

Student-centered: Online education is student-centred. The student gets more focused on the areas where they need to be improved

and gives them deep knowledge.

Low cost: There is no travelling cost as you can learn from home. There is no need for paying fees for the classroom and the

instructors.
Disadvantages of the modern education system

Lack of social interaction: Online learning courses are self-paced courses. It makes the learners difficult to develop a relationship with

their peers. Limited social interaction and no face to face interaction.

The chance to get distracted: The learners who are less determined and lacks self-motivation the chance of them to get detracted is

very high. The learners lose track of their studies and end up doing something else.

Learners get isolated: The learners don’t have any interaction with the outside world, this makes a high chance to make a learner feel

lonely and isolated.

Traditional education system

In traditional education, students are gathered under a roof at a specific time and specific place. The teaching style of traditional

education is teacher-driven. The learners discuss with the peers to clear their doubts or interact with the instructor after the class to do

the same. The knowledge attained by the learner depends on the knowledge of the instructor. Let’s see some of the advantages and

disadvantages of traditional education.

Advantages of the traditional education system

Punctuality: The students will have a specific time for every period and time for taking a break. This timing is all planed at the

beginning, the students follow this routine and make them punctual and disciplined.

Social interactions: The students interact with their peers which help them in character building. They learn to share and respect

others.

Extracurricular activities: This gives the students an opportunity to showcase their hidden talent to others. This helps them

recognized for their talents and are able to excel in their life.

Face to face interactions: The students are able to have direct interactions with their teachers. They are able to ask questions and

more explanations on the areas they have doubts.

Disadvantages of the traditional education system

Generalized learning: Generalized education for all the students make it difficult for them to learn things they are interested in.

Different students have different talents and interests which this general education fails to provide. Students will be spending more time

and effort to study in which they are not good at, and this will not help them in their future career.

Passive listeners: In traditional education, students should listen to their teachers. Sometimes the students do not make an effort to

listen to the teachers. They lack interest in the lectures and become passive listeners

No flexible time: The traditional education follows a rigid schedule which is challenging to study. The students have difficulties to cope

up with it.

Expensive: It is very expensive as the school provides certain facilities and for the tuition fee for their instructors etc. Everyone cannot

afford it and end up taking loans.

Teacher-centred learning: Teacher and books are the main sources of information. The students are unable to learn new things, and

their knowledge is restricted to the knowledge provided by the books and lecturers.
Comparison between the modern education system and the traditional education system

⦁ In modern education system, the learners are able to learn in flexible timings, whereas in traditional education there is a fixed

timing.

⦁ The learners in online education are a heterogeneous group of people with different age, different nationality, different professions,

etc. Whereas in the traditional education learners are a homogeneous group of people of the same age group.

⦁ Traditional education is costly, the course books, tuition fees, the classroom setup, etc. sum up to a huge amount of money compared

to online education. The modern education system doesn’t require any classroom setup, course books, etc. hence it is comparatively

low cost.

⦁ The online learners are able to learn courses that are offered by different universities at the same time. Traditional education holds the

learners back as they are only able to learn a single course at a time. To learn courses from abroad universities in traditional education

is very difficult. Hence an online learner is able to get certificates of different courses in a short period of time whereas in traditional it

takes much more time.

⦁ In traditional education, the exams are conducted after a period of time, say a term or semester. The courses are manually evaluated.

Whereas in a modern education test is conducted after each topic with automated evaluation.

⦁ Online learning provides with an unlimited source of learning material whereas in a traditional the learning sources are limited.