SHIFT IN STUDENT BEHAVIOR: A COMPARISON OF PAST AND PRESENT SCHOOL DYNAMICS

MICHAEL N. PUNO

In the realm of education, the landscape of students has been a long subject of inquiry and advancement. One of the factors that changed students’ behavior is the societal change. Our society has changed a lot; our norms, traditions, customs, and probably the whole culture have been modernized. The advent of technology has also become a major factor that changed how our youth think and make decisions. Everything becomes easy for them, like access to information and knowledge, they are just one click away. This article delves into the contrasting dynamics of students’ behavior in schools then and now, exploring the factors contributing to these changes and their implications on the educational environment.

In the past, classrooms were very strict. Students had to follow lots of rules and respect their teachers. if they didn’t, they’d get in trouble fast. In the old times of education environment teachers are highly respected by the community and most especially by the students. Sanctions are given to students who are stubborn and are not listening in the class discussion. Discipline was enforced through authoritarian measures such as suspension or even corporal punishment.

Today, things are different. Classrooms aren’t as strict, but students have more distractions, especially from cellphones and computers. It’s harder for them to focus on schoolwork because of social media games.

Back then, schools wanted all students to act the same. Being different was seen as bad, and students who didn’t follow the rules got punished. The school of yesterday shaped students based on the standards of teachers. students need to follow every instruction of the teacher, if unable to follow it is considered disobedience or defiance. Cultural differences, gender preferences and students’ multiple intelligences is not recognized.

Nowadays, schools are more accepting of differences. Various cultures, gender identity and students’ multiple intelligences are well-recognize. In fact, they want students to be themselves and express who they are and what they are for as long as they are learning. It only proves that schools are trying to be fairer and more respectful to everyone.

In the old days, if students misbehaved, they’d get punished right away, corporal punishment is highly enforced. Teachers had a lot of power, and students had to do what they said. No matter what there is and their grade level, they will get punished if they commit mistakes. It is even a humiliation to commit bad behavior inside the classroom. Today, schools are trying new ways to handle bad behavior. Instead of punishment, they talk to students to understand why they did what they did. They try to help students learn from their mistakes and become better people. The so called” no touch” is required for teachers when they encountered misbehavior inside classroom. This means that they cannot touch physically the students like hitting the erasers, asking them to do push ups and other corporal punishments are prohibited.

Student behavior in schools has changed a lot over time. Even though things are different now, the goal is still the same: to make school a good place to learn and grow. By understanding these changes, teachers can better help students and make school a place where everyone feels respected and supported.

Change is inevitable, and it is the only consistent in this world, some may see beautiful part of the educational settings then, because they have seen the students as disciplined, learned, and really acquired knowledge because of the traditional way of teaching. On the other hand, modernization in educational environments need a lot of adjustments towards teaching 21st century learners, they acquire different attitudes and different styles to learn. These leads the Department of Education to think also of new ways to teach students. The integration of technology is also incorporated in today’s classroom setting.

Through understanding to changes and adapting pedagogical approaches accordingly, educators can better support the diverse needs of today’s students and cultivate culture of mutual respect, empathy, and lifelong learning.

-oOoThe at Anita G. Flores National High School

author is Teacher at I