The Future of Education

Theoretical background:
One of the most prominent features of the 21st century is globalization, and as part of it the accelerated technological development, the dynamism and the wide and significant socio-economic change processes. The surveys conducted by the Center for Educational Technology (February 2010) show that the current generation of children is nowadays exposed, more than in the past, to intense changes. This exposure creates adaptability to technological changes and innovations in a quick and immediate manner. However, the walls of the classroom have not changed for more than a century and the knowledge and performance gaps and between the students and their teachers are revealed.
The McKenzie report (2007) stated: "The ability to apply knowledge learned in new situations and contexts requires a creative use of knowledge. Routine knowledge will not prepare young people for life in the 21st century. Therefore, innovation and creativity, teamwork and collaboration must be central components of the study syllabus, hence the necessity to build a "new pedagogy."

Research questions:

1. Does group research learning and peer education improve the learning abilities of special education students?
2. Does group research learning and peer education as a teaching method provide the students with tools that will assist them in their professional training?

The method used:
The qualitative research is based on questionnaires on which content analysis will be conducted.
Research participants: 35 students studying special education. The students take the Developmental Cognitive Disability course.

Main results:
The research findings indicate that the innovative learning has a positive effect on education students. Over 70% of the students note that the group's research improves their learning abilities. According to them, the unique structure of the course helps them understand the learned material better than the regular learning. The learning atmosphere in the innovative environment, including computers, smart boards, group work boards, different seating styles, creates a different learning experience, more enjoyable.
About two-thirds of the respondents noted that the personal research study as part of a group and the contribution of the group led to the fact that the content was better studied. There is a better content understanding, internalization and a more significant memorizing of the studied material. The group learning helps the learning process as well. In terms of difficulties encountered in the innovative learning, 5% of the respondents noted that the size of the compound and the possibility of dispersing within the space make it difficult for them to concentrate. When examining the effect of the content on the professional tools that the students acquire, the vast majority noted that they learned that all students should be included, each in his special way, both in class and as a tool for their professional future.

Keywords: Technological Development, New Pedagogy, and Developmental Cognitive Disability;

References:
[1] Center for Educational Technology (February, 2010) Education for the 21st century – the growth engine of the State of Israel. Conference Herzliya. Retrieved from http://storage.cet.ac.il/edu2010/edu2010.pdf. [Hebrew]
[2] Mioduser, D., Nachmias, R., Tuvin, D. & Forkosh, A. (2006) Pedagogic innovation combined with media and communications technology. Tel Aviv: [Hebrew]
[3] Kafai & Resnick in Salomon, G. (2000) Technology and education in the information era.: Zemora Bitan. [Hebrew]