What does education mean to you?
For many children and youngsters school starts again this week. The funny days of our heated summer are over.
Our stores are packed with mums and kids seeking the last accessories for the big first day.
This being said I start to wonder about education. Its real meaning. What it should be.
Long ago, means were scarce and only the bests were allowed to pursue their studies.
Today classes are overcrowded with pupils who do not really fit in the system. It is not their gift and will never be.
How can we bring the best out of our children and youth. Many are discouraged. Pupils and teachers. How can we make the system work for all without putting all in the same mold.
With modern technology diversification is possible. And teaching should be individual adapted to each child. Would be more gain and motivating as well.
Two stories
The experiment
There was this experiment where a class decided to give all kids the average of the points. Meaning the best ones got less and the lesser ones got more.
Over the months the average dropped to alarming levels.
Nobody was motivated to study anymore.... and the experiment was never pursued.
Moral of the story:
You can not study for another, nor give him or her your points. It forges the picture and ruins all. Go for your excellence and gifts!
The forest
This tale is from my sister.
The animals of the forest gathered and decided to put in place an education system so all animals could run, fly and swim.
First day started with swimming pool in which the fish excelled, the mammals did not so bad and most of the birds were half drown.
Second day started with flying lesson in which the fish had no air, the mammals broke their legs and the birds, half drawn from their swimming lesson, were not so good anymore.
Third day the race. The mammals with broken legs did not meet to the finish. The fish near died and the poor birds were flattened off.
End of story?
Next day the comity of the forest decided to stop this non sense. Birds fly fain. Fish swim and mammals... they run. More than ever.
Your vision?
What is your understanding of education today? It is the future of so many...
Thank you for liking, commenting and sharing!
For elaborating with me
Recent Comments
59
Hi Fleeky!
You bring up a point that has plagued school systems all over world: How to construct an educational system that engages everyone. At one point in time there were many avenues of training for those who didn’t fit well in the traditional classroom setting, work-study combination programs, vocational training centers for skilled trades, etc. Many of those have gone by the wayside as more pressure is now being applied to obtain a college degree. I don’t know what the answer is, while I know there needs to be some kind of measurable standards there also has to be enough variety to engage every student.
Tough situation!
KyleAnn
Hi KyleAnn,
How to engage everyone at his or her own level is the most difficult part and supposes great mentorship.
In my country they started a project where students learn at their own pace, and where the teacher is just witness and coach of their progress. They work with fixed computer lessons. And it seems to motivate and engage all at their own level. It gives also a greater interaction between students and teachers and overall the mood is better. No more homework.
So yes... we need to change A LOT
Yes KyleAnn.
All in its primary state.
Only side effect is : all managed by computing systems...
Trully wondering about the effects on eyes
Are there similar initiatives in your country to change things?
Would be nice to share those trials
Hey Fleeky!
No, not on a national level. Some cities, especially with the large populations, are trying different models similar to that but still use teachers, not all on computers.
There are a couple of computer based learning systems available to families for home schooling. Khan Academy and K-12 are the ones I’ve seen advertised. Don’t know how expensive they are.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how these kids turn out!
KyleAnn
IT seems every one is on the same page. Some of the most intelligent instructors are forgotten. When I was very young I found older women and men were very lonely and would share their life stories. most were very interesting and some were extremely educational. This is a segment overlooked. Yet it is very alarming to me to see the waste. My family was very close to grand parents. That was one of the greatest bonding agents in this country during stressful times. Memories I will never forget. Thank you.
Hi!
You are so right. Education starts at home and those children who are fortunate to have good parents are priviledged in more than one way.
It also raises another question ... what do we do with the others? Those who are equally gifted with lesser chances? And those whose parents have no time left because of their demanding jobs...?
The answer is not simple...
Thank you for pointing at family as primary source of education. It tends to be forgotten in our modern society with scattered families and role patterns.
My understanding of education begins when you open your eyes. It doesn't end until the close of day. To maximize your time to learn the most valuable comes from daily encounters with everyday opportunities. Allow the schools to take over all education would be disaster. The most important faze of education should be inter action with family and friends. This is only my observation. Most of my education was inter actions and reading every thing available. The teachers gave regimented instructions for guidance in controlled environment. Hopefully the more opportunities to learn will be allowed in our great society so we can continue to progress.
Yes... one day without leaning is a lost day.
Situations and opportunities are plenty to learn to master our selves in the first place and new skills. And the helps of tutors, friends and family play a major role in building up our charachters.
And yes, teachers are bound to rules and fixed situations leading to frustration for many...
Reading good books is the start of knowledge.
Thank you for your valuable contribution.
Hi, D.
I am an advocate of ‘Open Education’ including ‘The Open Education Project’ offered here at Wealthy Affiliate.
The Internet is changing the way we learn and is opening the doors to those that do not have access to traditional education. Typically offered online, Open Education Platforms broaden access to the learning and training traditionally offered through formal education systems without academic admission requirements.
“Open Education is a philosophy about the way people should produce, share, and build on knowledge…” –opensource dot com.
“The qualifier ‘Open’ refers to the elimination of barriers that can preclude both opportunities and recognition for participation in institutional-based learning. One aspect of openness or ‘opening up’ education is the development and adoption of open education resources.” – Wikipedia.
“Open Education combines the traditions of knowledge sharing and creation with 21st Century technology to create a vast pool of openly shared educational resources, while harnessing today’s collaborative spirit to develop educational approaches that are more responsive to learner’s needs.” – open education week dot org.
The Only thing that is constant on The Internet is Change.
The only way to adjust to this rapid change is to be effectively involved in solid, evolving platforms of education that embrace the advancements of change. Buying e-books, courses, support programs and other mentor ships no longer make sense, are becoming outdated, and in my opinion are a thing of the past.
For many of us, The Wealthy Affiliate ‘Open Education Project’ might just be the only place we need to succeed online and at the same time make honest, self earned money. Yes, money earned through our hard work and the education of others.
There is another side of Open Education that is purely devoted to learning traditional education in the 21st century way and I would like to bring it to your attention.
Khan Academy.
It is a place for everyone, where anyone can learn anything forever and do it all for free.
The founder of Khan Academy, Salman Khan believes that students will take ‘Ownership Of Their Learning.’
“…In class, students will no longer say, ”Hey teacher, I’m passive. Tell me what to do next….”
“…Instead, they will say ‘Hey teacher, these are my goals, and I want to seek out the information. Teacher, you are my coach, you are my mentor, please help me do it….’
‘Homeschooling’ is another option that is gaining a lot of traction.
There are a lot of great comments to your post, D.
Thank you for sharing.
Regards from Canada.
Paul.
Hi Paul!
Thank you for reminding us of the principles of Open Education Systems which are accessible to all without restrictions, fees or preliminary selections.
This is indeed a splendid initiative where many can find new inspiration and ressources to build a better future and shape their own knowledge and understanding for free.
As you so well stressed, change is omnipresent and often source of great stress also... leading many to despair ... It makes me wonder how we can coop with this. All becomes so encyclopedic... The great challenge will be to humanize education again.... knowing does not mean understanding. Too much parrots...
There is an old eastern saying that says: 'when the pupil is ready the master shows up. ' It needs craftsmanship to build craftmanship. Learning by doing. Not just talking heads, full of knowledge and not much understanding.
Teaching is an art too. It is given to very few and as you said, it needs to come out. And that... is the work of a Master...
Education has many levels too.
Now it often focused on volatile techniques and know how that age very quickly...
Perhaps there is another way, another level that has not been touched yet...
Thank you for your valuable comment. And I agree that wa platform is best I know to grow at own peace towards a successfull entrepreneur
To you
To us
Thank you D, for the reply to my comment.
You insight on this subject is very valuable.
I look forward to any further thoughts on this topic.
Kindest regards,
Paul.
Thank you Paul,
You stress it so often and you advocate it so well.
Thank you for bringing it under our attention.
Having many indian friends I am amazed to see their education system is based on values. Not on money. Time is non existent. Their is a depht in their seeking that I have met nowhere else.
And the teachings of the Vedas are surely part of it.
It brings me to 'think' education is culture as well and country related. And those wHo combine many cultures are... super educated
Namaste to you
Namaskaram (namaste in sanskrit), D.
You touch upon a very interesting topic that I framing as we speak as a post on my new site. Is this a coincidence or what?
It will delve into my perception and belief that Culture and Education are interdependent and cannot be divorced from each other.
I recently read a very thought provoking article that started like this:
“The cultural patterns of a society guide its educational patterns. As for example, if a society has a spiritual pattern of culture, then its educational procedures will emphasize the achievement of moral and eternal values of life. On the other hand if the culture of a society is materialistic, then its educational pattern will be shaped for the attainment of material values which promotes pleasures of senses and material comforts….”
The article went on to say:
“…A society devoid of any culture will have no definite educational organization. Hence, the culture of a country has a very powerful impact on its educational patterns. Education as a part of culture has the twin functions of conservation and modification or renewal of culture. It is the culture in which education germinates and flourishes and exerts a nourishing influence. Human beings receive from society the gifts of family life, community life, education, vocation, legal rights, safety and protection in the same way human beings inherit from culture the gift of cultural heritage….”
There is a lot of food for thought in just those two paragraphs that should keep me busy with 5,000 words plus.
As you might know D, my thoughts on education are that education and knowledge are among the catalysts that can change the World and leverage people with the tools and skills they need to find 'a path out of poverty that leads to prosperity.'
Throw Culture, Cultural beliefs and understanding into that mix, and now we have something much more unified and more easily acceptable.
Education is something that I have always been passionate about and I promote the ideas behind learning wholeheartedly. I have a basic High School Education (with a few advanced courses of interest) but our high school motto was 'Faciendo Discimus,' (we learn by doing) and it has served me well throughout my lifetime.
If we are not continuously learning, then chances are that we are not progressing. I am a big fan of everything ‘Wikipedia’ and would like to see the movement of the traditional curriculum of 'Higher Learning' migrate to a more 'Progressive' movement on the Internet. I am seeing it more and more everyday.
Most in developing countries (and even developed ones) cannot afford a formal education. But somehow, it is becoming a reality Worldwide, that culturally, we must have access to a computer and an Internet connection. Do you see where this is going?
I have always believed that every person on this planet should have access to at least a ‘basic level pre-tertiary education’ and that this basic level education should be completely free. Basic literacy, numeracy and the ability to communicate, complete tasks and work with others are 'Life Skills' that are extremely important because they provide us with the baseline skills to survive as people in the World.
"It’ll be a great day when education gets all the money it wants, and the Air Force has to hold a bake sale to buy bombers." - Author Unknown.
Makes you think, right?
Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts on your most insightful and thought provoking post.
Onward and upward.
Paul.
P.S.
Just look at the cultural diversity here on this platform and how the platform is bringing people together through some common desires...education & prosperity. Here we first 'Learn,' and then remove the 'L.'
Cheers.
Namaskarams!
So good to read you.
Yes you are right culture, education, language and tradition are key. One does not go wihout the others.
And education is many fold. What fits for one, does not fit for others.
In our northern countries facing cold and rainy weather we mainly live indoors... putting different accents too.
Education should be environmental too. Not just cognitive knowledge. Also practical skills.
Our governement has small projects based on skills. It is preparing youngsters for real life. No theory. The how to... the course is big success and many are happy to leave school for daily reality. Doing very well and succeeding.
Once the basics are set, the needs of each are different. And educators should be at service of that growth.
In many tradition based societies, school is a disrupting factor... and that worries me too
Have great week
Hi Fleeky,
To me education means that you develop the attitude that you are a learner, not a student. The responsibility of parents and the state is to put you in learning situations where you are allowed to develop your own learning style and passions. This means that all teachers become expert facilitators who develop the ideal learning environments for each learner, always remembering that we learn most through making acceptable mistakes.
Learning conducive attitudes to lead a good public life while paying appropriate attention to our passions needs to be considered and balanced.
The emphasize is on developing attitudes, not knowledge and skills, although a certain amount of common knowledge and skill is required to live in groups and even more to become very competent in a chosen field.
Learning to learn is a natural way to create endorphins, which leads to lifelong learning and an education resulting in wisdom.
I am most definitely a learner here at WA, passionate to learning new knowledge and skills through making millions of mistakes.
My 2-bits,
Roger
Hi Roger!
You are so right. Attitude is key!
If you have no gift, nor disposition to learn, it will lead nowhere.
And that supposes discernment from families and schools to bring out the best in each and all.
It also raises the cases of the difficult ones, hard to handle. Often super intelligent and gifted but rebels... not fitting in. Lots of efforts are made to integrate those too.
We are all seekers...
I think that education happens inside and outside of school. People depend too heavily on schools to teach and guide their children.
I agree that schools don't teach children everything they need to survive. I also agree that some children learn differently but I think that as parents its our job also to teach our children and help them understand.
I believe people think education is only in school and it's not. It's every day all around us even as adults.
Hope you have a good weekend and continue to share these thought-provoking topics :)
Marlinda
Hi Melinda,
The role of parents is important. And some times overruled by schools where parents have to fit in against all odds... so sad to see it becomes ruled by money too...
And eilas some parent leave the responsability to others too. Lack of time or interest. No time to back up their own... because they have too many problems too.
So, yes... school tends to become the extended family, where each and all has a part to play...
Love your intervention...
I think that education today in schools is more about teaching kids what to think rather than how to think.
Repetition of facts - or the system / establishment's interpretation of facts - is not real learning.
A State education will help you to get a job and earn a living.
Self-education will help you to build a lifestyle and earn a fortune :-)
Cheers
Rich
Hi Rich,
The how is fascinating
And the why
And the wHere
And the when...
And the what
And the wHom
Learning starts indeed wIth a question.
The day we have no more questions, we have ceased to learn ..
Learning by doing is perhaps a new challenge.
What is the use,of a full head unable to cook his or her own potatoes.
The question also is: does education prepare for family and society? It all becomes so etheric ... we wIll soon desintegrate,,,
Have a great week ahead!
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Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading.
What is your view on education? What should it be?
I think education is very important to a person's life of all ages.
Hahaha
Right!
No limits