The "McDonald-ization" of education

McDonald's is surprisingly successful purveying fast-food cost of a consistently high quality. You do this primarily through standardization and quality control. If you buy an "Egg McMuffin" or a "Big Mac" at a branch in Seattle, or Milwaukee, Chicago, Miami, it is almost exactly the same.

Standardization is increasingly in-roads in education. Once the realm of diversity (of opinion, thought, concept,Teaching methods, classroom style, etc.) and independence (academic freedom), is the academic instruction is in a "product" convert type delivery system. The "products" in this case, the concepts, lesson plans, group exercises, assignments, etc. - yes, the training itself.

The intent of this transformation is to provide a "standard" quality student teaching experience within the disciplines andInstitutions. The student is the customer (consumer) of the education delivery system, we want to make sure he or she is the highest possible product quality and the key to this is the "quality control" and standardization.

Instead of after-the-fact quality control offered by teachers' ratings "," classroom observation "and the like, introduces the concept far more intrusive and directive model. LessonPlans, yes, all courses and curricula are packaged modules pre-installed on USB sticks (USB) or on computers or servers.

Almost like in the food business, manufacturing, product manufacturing and other sectors, the product creation and delivery process designed to win won the efficiency and effectiveness in the industry.

JUST like McDonald's

Just like McDonald's, where a customer can expect that a standard, enjoy high-quality product served in a clean,well-designed environment, the student consumers convenient delivery of education expected product for its use and enjoyment - "satisfaction guaranteed".

THE PROCESS

First, a product team put together. In this case, consists of scientific experts, curriculum designers, writers, of course, technology experts, product representatives, coaches, content specialists, etc. The product is based on results targets, ie"What we want to know the students?", "What to learn in this course?" and "How do you measure that?" This "top end" philosophy is of crucial importance. She holds the view of the product that promotes the quality, and finally, "customer satisfaction."

THE ENTERTAINMET COMPONENT

Gen Y students have different expectations from their predecessors and are less likely to indulge in or out of date by theTeaching methods and techniques. They are asking to be set.

Lecturers are sometimes chosen for their ability to "entertainment" and "inform." They should be animated, humorous, rousing and entertaining. It is expected that knowledge bites in practical, comfortable, and satisfying, to mediate.

STEAMLINING of the educational process

More standardized process, the less room forEducators, the greater are the prescribed content, exercises and learning activities, the more the manager of the career and "for profit" colleges like it. This approach, however, can benefit the students, as it focuses on high-quality, standardized, experience in the classroom.

IT'S EASIER

Once the teacher has mastered the technology, the whole teaching process to simplify the framework of this model. Everything is already packed. No messyDevelopment of the curriculum - they are already done - and done well. No reflection on creative learning activities and approaches - they are already there. One could hardly sleep! (if not for the requirement animated and entertaining.)

Needs of students

Students in this new model will be immersed in the educational technology in their courses. This is the world of today and the future.You will be involved with them, and smart boards, laptops, WiFi interact, simulations, business games, remote "clicker", interactive learning, the real world, relevant projects, presentations, etc. It was developed to their learning styles and attention spans, it is excellent for compliance they prepare for their career. Although many students are "comfortable" with the technology, less competent and less still a deeper understanding. The curriculum shouldhelping them to control himself better and better prepared for the technology demands of the future for businesses. The intense technological nature of the classroom experience is also on the different learning styles. The auditory learner voice, have music, and noise. The visual learner, the videos, enjoy powerpoints and other visual elements. The kinesthetic learners appreciate the hands on component, especially the SMART board.

Student satisfactionThere is of course a priority. Education, especially for non-profit education, serve the students, while running a business. And by the service and the satisfaction of the student, ultimately, the students in school, graduate residence and learn valuable skills and knowledge in the process. The graduates will benefit the economy, and society as a whole. An advanced society like ours depends crucially populated by an educated and productive.

EMPLOYERS MUST

What employers want and need? The connection to the needs of the employer is of paramount importance. Companies need trained workers. Technologically, they require skilled workers to the demands of a quickly changing technological environment and a highly competitive situation.

We live in a productive society. Companies are spending billions of dollars and training of their employees. BusinessReady "graduates will be more productive from day one, and the employer will appreciate this.

Has the training come to this?

Purists would argue that to prefer the more traditional approaches are, and that academic freedom will be violated. They would say that teachers should be recruited on the basis of their knowledge, the quality of training, expertise, research and contributions to the history of their area. That would no doubt prefer to see, purely"Academic" and "scientists" in the class. However, there is still room for an interesting debate here. When it comes to the teachers or the students? Of course, we understand that it is about both, but whose needs take precedence? The answer must be - the students! Finally, the entire educational system in place to meet the needs of the students to become and ultimately society.

Trainers with the real world, practical experience and withoutTechno-phobia is related more adaptable to this new format, and perhaps better equipped for the students.

THE BOTTOM LINE

In education, there is always room for a wide range of opinions and approaches. Let's try this new one. It works in the economy - why not education? This is probably the reason why the approach to self-Career Colleges lot easier than their mainstream counterparts. The "for-profit career colleges are certainly theForefront of this initiative, and "early adopters".

We all know that "quality" is a matter of education. Graduates with virtually identical credentials can have completely different skills and knowledge and skills. This is and has always been a concern. This standardized, quality-assured model will resolve the problem.

Of course, this educational model is controversial, as it should be! But the result is very possible that the students have avery similar experience to learn that with comparable skills and better "fits" into the business world. Employers may be more secure and confident that the graduates have the knowledge and skills they need to be successful was contributions. You will probably want to at some point be fully in the curriculum development process. In this globally competitive market, this may be just what is needed.

If we are teaching business, we must havebusiness-minded. Let's transfer of these "best practices" from industry to academia to keep our students are involved, and better prepare them for their professional future. And, to the lessons learned from places like McDonald's can, we could be more for education than ever could have imagined.

© Copyright 2009, Dr. Ben A. Carlsen, MBA. All rights reserved worldwide for all media. You may reprint this article in your ezine, newsletter,Received newspaper, magazine, website, etc., as long as you leave all links active, do not edit the article in any way, leave my name and bio-box, and follow all the EzineArticles Terms of publishers.

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