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RE: The Examined Education | Questioning the Current State of Education

in #life7 years ago

I would claim that most teachers today are on amateur level. However, the teaching area is not the only industry where it is hard to find a strong thought. I think teaching today and in the future should be about fundamentals. The world is becoming so diverse. There is just too much information and specifics generated every single day, for a teacher to convey to a child. Therefore, a good education will consist in teaching the principles of thought. Most kids are not thought about thought. Once a child has learned to see the world in principles and patterns, it will be able to ignore all the noise and focus on the specifics that really matter.
However, it takes about 1-2 generations to introduce a new category of teachers. I don't think teachers will rewire their brains for that kind of relationship towards knowledge. There has to be some sort of an incentive (pain/pleasure) that will get the kids of today to gravitate towards the new way of thinking, and maybe some of them will become teachers in the future.

There is a possible shortcut, I have to admit. Who said that education has to remain in the schools? So, perhaps a new type of educating might take place from another source which will attract kids. This will have its own issues, for new sources are untested. In old traditions and institutions, there is a hidden wisdom and benefits, that are hard to see. Even if the tradition or institution is seen as oppressive. Removing it is desirable, but at the same time we remove some hidden benefits. This is why using reason for everything can be tricky.
However, I have to say that reason will be enough to determine if a teacher is hurting a child's entry into the world of knowledge.
I have used the Socratic method not just on teachers, but also on other professionals. Here is the fun part. By the 3rd questions, you sense that they know what is happening and they look for way out. So, this shows me that they are aware of their amateurish relationship to their profession. Hence, the insecurity. Watch for that moment next time. You can sense it or even see it in their eyes.
So, before you start walking around like Socrates and asking fundamental questions to a teacher, keep this in mind ;-) . They might outright call you rude.

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I totally agree with you!

  • "A good education will consist in teaching the principles of thought.
  • Who said that education has to remain in the schools?
  • I have used the Socratic method not just on teachers, but also on other professionals. Here is the fun part. By the 3rd questions, you sense that they know what is happening and they look for way out. So, this shows me that they are aware of their amateurish relationship to their profession. Hence, the insecurity. Watch for that moment next time. You can sense it or even see it in their eyes."

I love your opinions on education. I think that the education system in its current state isn't worth trying to change, at least within a meaningful timeframe. I think that we are not far off from alternative educations becoming mainstream (online academies, internship/hands-on based programs, etc.)... Blockchain is exciting to me because it makes the prospect of individualized and incentive-based education possible. Also, check out the below video of Neil Degrasse Tyson. He talks about the 2 different types of "thinkers". I found it very interesting and think you may as well! Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!

This is a must-watch video for everyone! So many people are wrapped up in the wrong mentality when it comes to thinking!

He nails it. Especially with the AI advance, one needs to really think about thinking ;-). Since you brought up the blockchain I will throw my opinion on it too. The blockchain allows for any idea to grow or shrink depending on its merits. There is no such thing as taboo idea on the blockchain. There is no central authority to devalue it and set the tone for the masses to devalue it too. If it is the truth , it is the truth.
We are just starting my friend ;-)
Enjoy the ride!