COLONIAL CLASSROOM: THEN AND NOW 2

Colonial Classroom: Then and Now

Graphic Organizer
Colonial Period Current Day
Learning was characterized by memorization-
learners had scarce textbooks and papers
making memorization the only option to
study.

Learning today is deeper- students have
ample papers and textbooks, and technology
is fast being integrating into today’s
classrooms.

The tutor had a lot of authority and students
could get spanked or whipped in school if
they misbehaved, or be told to sit alone in the
corner.

The authority of the tutor has been regulated
in schools today. Students who misbehave are
reported to the administration and may either
be warned, suspended, or expelled from
school.

Schools had poor structures; often, students
sat on crude wooden benches and structures
that were poorly constructed.

Schools are well developed with modern
structures. Students sit comfortably in well-
constructed classrooms.

The curriculum mainly stresses on readin’,
’ritin,’’rithmetic, and religion; which were
commonly referred to as the four Rs (Webb,
2014).

The curriculum is based on state standards
such as the Common Core State Standards
which is followed by most states in the
country.

Many practices common in the colonial days have been modified and others completely
replaced by modern ones in the current day. For instance, education for the girl child has been

COLONIAL CLASSROOM: THEN AND NOW 3

sidelined. Girls only learned enough arithmetic, writing, and reading that would allow them to
read and comprehend their Bibles. Writing was necessary to enable them to record household
expenses. Their education limited them to only be in a position to do basic activities such as read
for religious purposes and this limited their participation in activities that would help them grow,
enrich themselves as well as the community. The boys, on the other hand, had a male tutor and
they started school as early as 7 a.m. their study was more comprehensive as they were being
prepared to take on more serious roles in society and contribute to its growth and development
(Snyder, 1993). They studied geography, higher math, history, celestial navigation, social
etiquette, and fencing. The gender disparity in education was wide. However, over the years, this
changed and learners today are given equal education and opportunities to go through the
learning processes.
After reviewing the graphic organizer, it is evident that great progress has occurred in the
education field since the colonial times. Education now incorporates modern and better ways to
deliver content, and practices that foster the teacher’s and the learners’ innovation have been
introduced (Urban & Wagoner, 2009). The transformation has affected my roles as a teacher in
the 21 st -century classroom. The most significant aspect is the integration of technology and
digital tools in the classroom. As a teacher in this age, I must be well equipped and conversant
with the technological advancements to ensure that I equip the learners with the same skills and
make them competitive in the global market. Also, when facilitating the learning process, I have
a bigger role than the teacher in the colonial period. While students were being prepared to
develop their communities and be of service to them, today’s students are being prepared to be
globally competitive because the nature of the job market has changed. Overall, the only practice

COLONIAL CLASSROOM: THEN AND NOW 4

from the colonial period that I wish was still in practice today is the lessons on spinning,
needlework, and weaving, as they are practical and still necessary in today’s society.

COLONIAL CLASSROOM: THEN AND NOW 5

References

Snyder, T. D. (Ed.). (1993). 120 years of American education: A statistical portrait. DIANE
Publishing.
Urban, W. J., & Wagoner Jr, J. L. (2009). American education: A history. Routledge.
Webb, L. D. (2014). History of American education: Voices and perspectives [Electronic
version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/