Three Big Challenges Facing Education Right Now (And What We Can Actually Do About Them)
By: Robert F. DeFinis, Ed.D.

If you spend even a week inside a classroom today, whether K–12 or higher ed, you’ll feel it: education is at a crossroads. The challenges aren’t new, but they’ve intensified in ways that are impossible to ignore.

Let’s talk about three of the most pressing issues shaping education today: the digital divide, declining instructional quality (largely driven by teacher shortages and burnout), and the relevance gap between schools and the real world. These aren’t abstract policy problems; they show up in classrooms every single day and are creating many issues for institutions.
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The Digital Divide: It’s Not Just About Wi-Fi Anymore
The digital divide refers to unequal access to technology, internet connectivity, and, importantly, the skills needed to use them effectively. Most recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Sri Lanka on a Fulbright program. While at one of the private colleges, I was informed by the staff and administration that they had all the latest software and hardware needed to leverage and implement technology into the curriculum. This was a stark contrast to a few public institutions that lacked basic Wi-Fi connectivity. But here’s the nuance: even when devices are available, disparities persist in how well students and teachers can actually use them. Researchers now describe multiple layers of this divide: access, skills, and outcomes. Therefore, there are multiple layers to this issue, even when technology is available.

Education is now deeply digital. From submitting assignments to collaborating online, students without reliable access or digital literacy are at a serious disadvantage. During the pandemic, these gaps translated directly into greater learning losses for disadvantaged students, and this remains an issue we are still trying to address several years later. And globally, the scale is staggering; millions of students still lack the tools to fully participate in modern learning environments.
What educators can do:

• Prioritize digital literacy, not just device distribution. Teaching students how to learn online is as critical as giving them access.
• Leverage low-tech and offline solutions. Not everything needs to be high bandwidth—print materials, SMS-based learning, and offline apps still matter.
• Train teachers intentionally. Teacher confidence with tech directly impacts student outcomes.
• Advocate for equitable funding. Infrastructure gaps are policy problems—but educators’ voices influence those decisions.

Instructional Quality & Teacher Shortages: The Quiet Crisis
Even when students have access to school, the quality of instruction varies widely. This is driven by outdated curricula, lack of resources, and critically, a shortage of qualified teachers. Globally, we’re facing a projected shortage of tens of millions of teachers in the coming years. There are many reasons for this shortage, including low pay, a growing lack of parental involvement and support, and unrealistic administrative expectations placed on them. No strategy, technology, curriculum reform, or policy change works without strong teachers. When educators are overworked, underpaid, or underprepared, the ripple effects hit student learning immediately. In America, especially in urban areas, we are seeing the strain even more, which is resulting in larger class sizes, less individualized instruction, and higher turnover.
What educators and institutions can do:

• Invest in continuous professional development. Not one-off workshops—ongoing, practical training tied to classroom realities.
• Redesign workload, not just expectations. Reduce administrative burden so teachers can focus on teaching.
• Create career pathways. Master teacher roles, instructional coaching, and leadership tracks help retain talent.
• Modernize curriculum alongside teacher training. You can’t ask teachers to deliver 21st-century skills with 20th-century tools.

The Relevance Gap: “When Will I Ever Use This?”
Many students still experience education as disconnected from real life. Traditional models often prioritize memorization and standardized testing over critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Even when students succeed academically, they may leave school unprepared for the workforce or real-world challenges. Further, employers are less interested in technical skill sets and more concerned with soft-skill development, with companies having to invest millions to get the next generation up to speed. Students need to develop real-world skills to meet real-world demands. Classrooms need to adopt learning strategies that build connections and challenge students to solve problems. Research shows that Engagement drops when students don’t see purpose. And more importantly, economies suffer when graduates lack adaptable, future-ready skills.
This isn’t just a student problem; it’s a system design problem.
What educators can do:

• Shift toward problem-based learning. Real-world scenarios build both engagement and transferable skills.
• Integrate interdisciplinary projects. The real world doesn’t separate math, science, and communication—schools shouldn’t either.
• Partner with industry. Guest speakers, internships, and project collaborations make learning tangible.
• Assess differently. Move beyond tests to portfolios, presentations, and applied work.

​Pulling It All Together
When you evaluate all three, you see that they are actually closely linked together: 1) A student without digital access struggles to engage, 2) A burned-out teacher can’t deliver high-quality instruction, 3) A disconnected curriculum kills motivation - even in well-resourced classrooms. Addressing one without the others only gets us so far. But the encouraging part? None of these solutions requires a complete system overhaul tomorrow.
They can start with intentional, practical shifts such as:

• Teach digital skills explicitly
• Support and retain great teachers
• Make learning relevant and applied

Education doesn’t need more noise; it needs smarter focus. The educators who recognize these patterns early? They’re the ones already shaping what comes next.

Problem-Based Learning Belongs in Every Classroom
By: Robert F. DeFinis, Ed.D.
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Walk into a traditional classroom, and you’ll often see students listening, taking notes, and preparing for the next test. Walk into a classroom using problem-based learning (PBL), and you’ll see something very different: students debating ideas, asking questions, and actively trying to solve real-world problems. That shift isn’t just engaging, it’s powerful!

Problem-based learning is a student-centered teaching strategy where learning begins with a complex, real-world problem. Instead of delivering content first, teachers present a challenge and guide students as they investigate, collaborate, and construct their own understanding.

Why PBL Works: The Research Behind It
The effectiveness of PBL isn’t just anecdotal; it’s backed by research across disciplines. Studies show that PBL promotes active learning, collaboration, and deeper understanding of content. A 2022 meta-analysis found that problem-based learning significantly improves critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-directed learning skills - all essential for today’s learners.

Even more compelling, a 2024 study revealed that students taught by teachers trained in PBL achieved better learning outcomes than those in traditional or poorly implemented PBL classrooms. In short, PBL works, but like any strategy, it works best when implemented intentionally.

From Passive to Active Learning
One of the biggest advantages of PBL is that it transforms students from passive recipients into active participants. Instead of memorizing facts, students learn by doing. For example, in a biology class, rather than lecturing about ecosystems, a teacher might pose the question: “Why is the local river losing biodiversity?” Students then research, analyze data, and propose solutions. Along the way, they naturally learn key scientific concepts, but in a way that sticks.

This aligns with constructivist learning theory, where students build knowledge through experience rather than simply receiving it.

Real-World Skills, Real Impact
PBL doesn’t just teach content, it builds skills that matter beyond the classroom. Research highlights that PBL enhances:

• Collaboration and teamwork
• Communication skills
• Independent learning habits
• Adaptability and innovation

These are the exact competencies employers consistently say they want. And most importantly, students practice them in context, not in isolation. Consider a business course in which students must develop a startup idea to address a community issue. They’re not just learning entrepreneurship; they’re practicing research, budgeting, pitching, and decision-making all at once.

The Role of the Teacher: From Lecturer to Facilitator
One of the biggest mindset shifts in PBL is the teacher’s role. Instead of being the “sage on the stage,” the teacher becomes a facilitator, guiding inquiry, asking probing questions, and supporting students as they navigate challenges. This doesn’t mean less structure; it just means different structure. Effective PBL classrooms are carefully designed with clear outcomes, scaffolding, and checkpoints to keep students on track.

Challenges (and Why They’re Worth It)
Let’s be honest, PBL can be messy. It requires planning, flexibility, and a willingness to give up some control. Some studies even note that while PBL boosts knowledge and engagement, outcomes can vary depending on the quality of implementation. But the payoff is worth it.
When students are engaged in solving meaningful problems, they don’t just learn more, they care more.

​Moving Forward
Problem-based learning isn’t a trend; it’s a shift toward more meaningful, student-centered education. It prepares learners not just to pass exams, but to think critically, solve problems, and navigate an increasingly complex world. For teachers and faculty, the question isn’t whether to use PBL; it’s how to start small, iterate, and grow. Because when students stop asking, “Will this be on the test?” and start asking, “How do we solve this?” - that’s when real learning begins.