A global learning crisis

Why was School born 5,000 years ago and why it will has to reborn

Abstract

It is postulated in this essay the existence of two ecumenical revolutions that constituted two major turning points in the evolution of humanity, both dependent on the creation of structured knowledge for their implementation. The first, symbolized by the “clay tablet” used literally in the early schools, was the origin of the “invention” of writing, as well as the school, created precisely to teach it. The second, symbolized by a device, the “silicon tablet”, which in turn represents the today’s ubiquitous computer, is underway at this time. Possibly left in a initial state by the Scientific Revolution initiated by Galileo, and in any case part of a universal movement of emancipation through knowledge, it has failed to arouse great interest in psychology, the educational sciences and, in general, in the social and human sciences. Almost obsessed with the manifestations, signs or symptoms of the same phenomenon, they risk ignoring its causes in this critical moment, thus losing unique opportunities for reflection and intervention. All the more necessary, as this second great revolution is also creating ignorance, misinformation or noise; along with a level of knowledge never before seen in the history of mankind. It will be increasingly necessary to educate the new generations to provide them with cognitive tools to navigate the almost infinite ocean of bits brought about by information technologies, instead of getting lost or overwhelmed by the created surpluses, helping them to avoid the stumbling blocks (especially addictive behaviors) caused by the still unclear relationships between such devices and the brain’s hedonic system.