- Josh Lee
- Toronto
- Canada
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How can we build a better educational system?
I've been realizing more and more that our education system is pretty much designed to benefit only the corporations that run this world. I'm talking about the heavy emphasis on maths and sciences and not enough focus on helping the children find their passion by planting dreams in their capable minds.
Personally, I think it would be great if the variety of courses that we are able to take were widened, and if we get passionate teachers that know how to teach and want to teach. What I mean by knowing "how to teach" is if the person is able to get someone else up to their level of knowledge in something they are passionate about, and make it fun in the process! I think that defines a great teacher/professor, in any subject. That way, we'll be able to have a much more intelligent generation full of happy people who are doing what they want to do and are great at it! Ultimately that would benefit all of us as a species.
I know it may sound very ideal, but with time I think it is definitely possible.
Brian Sykes
1 - kinesthetically (hands on, touch based, experiential learning)
2 - audibly (hearing and listening)
3 - visually (seeing)
I have 5 sons that range between 4 and 13 - whom my wife home schools. Each is an individual with their own set of talents and weaknesses. My wife has a deep understanding of the boys (gained from time with them) - their interests, motivations, struggles - and she knows how to "train them in the way" EACH child should go. I cannot speak for everyone, but the homeschool environment works exceptionally well for our family (though it is a LOT of work, requires a great commitment of time and maturity.) Who better should have the best interest for the kid than the parent, with the greatest desire to see them succeed and grow to become the productive adult they are made to be?
I thought it a brilliant speech. The question posed, how do we take this failing system in America to the top? It sure isn't money - we homeschool for a fraction of the cost NC declares is needed per child in the public school system. Creativity may play a role. I think the greatest role player in the mix, is more parents getting actively involved in their children's education. Not saying homeschool for everyone, but actually taking accountability for the children in the household. What are they learning? Where are their strengths and weaknesses? What are they drawn to. Ben Franklin's father took him to every business in the local community to see what Ben was inclined towards. What about your kids?
david prosser
I think a distinction should be placed here separating communism and marxism from Karl Marx. The problem is that if we look at the regimes which popped up and vastly harmed the "collective," we can see that nothing which was championed was actually in line with Marx's theories for the development of collective society.
It simply became a good way to control masses of people, to cite "Marx" as an ideological figure, and then to veer ever farther from what he actually said as soon as power was gained. For instance, Marx was not a proponent of coercion or of the rich ruling over the poor. However every marxist/communistic regime has done just that, been forced upon masses of people in order for a few to profit.
It should be noted that Marx detached himself from all those who called themselves "Marxists" during his life and those who followed continued to veer further and further from his theories towards the ideas of violent revolution, a few "educated" controlling the masses, etc.
The reason why Marx's writings though are important is because he actually sought to tie together man with nature through observation. He therefore came to conclusions which weren't founded on the motivations for profit or power, but which sought to take into account this system of nature which we are all a part.
In this way Marx was and still is ahead of his time as a theorist, because he sought to apply an integral approach to social and economic life. It is an approach which is still misunderstood because usually it is viewed from the perspective of those who bastardized his writings and then attributed his name to their cause(s).
Mats Kaarbö 10+
avi Levy
Something is wrong and every thing start at family and education's it time to try something else more realistic more friendly more truthfull the world is changing becoming more integral we have to learn how to live in this world connected not individual new system
Josh Lee
What I notice in many people these days is the completely blind lust for money. For me, I grew up in a family where money was very limited and I realized I could be happy without it. Yes there was a time when I wished I had more but those are just temporary emotions anyone can choose to not focus on.
The human mind is a powerful computer, if not the most powerful in this universe (so far). The fastest man made computer cannot see the underlying tone of a conversation, it cannot feel the emotions that we feel and does not know how to be aware of different social situations. All it knows how to do is chug a bunch of 0's and 1's really really fast. This is why we all need to take control of our minds, and learn to focus on the good, the positive and be thankful that we are even breathing.
Taking things for granted is infinitely easier than being thankful for what you already have.
Osnat Bernstein
aviva visoli
The method of this education is based on the idea that Everyone is unique, and hence children/students develop through discussions that allow them to learn other children’s/student's opinions no matter how numerous these opinions are.
In this system, each student absorbs from the others, becomes imbued with their way of being, and grows to be even more unique. The student receives from everyone else and grows on that, developing his own properties.
This is what we want to achieve with this method of education. People unite correctly, making a contact, communicating with each other, and build a human society themselves, a society which is based on mutual inclusion of each into all and all into each. As a result, everybody’s uniqueness flourishes even more.
aviva visoli
The method of this education is based on the idea that Everyone is unique, and hence children/students develop through discussions that allow them to learn other children’s/student's opinions no matter how numerous these opinions are.
In this system, each student absorbs from the others, becomes imbued with their way of being, and grows to be even more unique. The student receives from everyone else and grows on that, developing his own properties.
This is what we want to achieve with this method of education. People unite correctly, making a contact, communicating with each other, and build a human society themselves, a society which is based on mutual inclusion of each into all and all into each. As a result, everybody’s uniqueness flourishes even more.
Steven Hsieh
You must know all the required facts to pass.
"Quality Control" = school standards
We are human beings.
We are not machines.
The best teachers are people in the industry.
I learned allot from my Econ teacher.
He taught more things from his business side experiences than the school text book.
If you want to teach math, then bring engineers.
If you want to teach English, brings speakers, entrepreneurs.
If you want to to teach Physical education, bring athletes.
You know who is the best entrepreneurs?
People who think like Childrens
Why?
Because they ask questions like why
"Why?"
"Why not?"
"What if...?"
Curiosity and Imagination is what we need
Jess Pillmore
Training is based in the past "these are the steps, this is how it works and how it'll always work". Factual. Most schooling is really training, not education, unfortunately.
But we, and I say we because I believe it's important to be life-long learners, need a mixture of both to explore the world and how we want to shape it. You can teach me how to cut vegetable with a knife (training) and I may or may not really remember it, even after drilling and testing, unless I originally came to you with the desire or curiosity about cooking. Then the knife skill is needed... wanted. It supports my exploration in to my curiosity about cooking.
School can and should be like that. Math is important... to those that want to use it. The arts are important... to those that want to use it.
There are universal skills that can be taught and/or supported to help us all recognize our interests: empathy, vulnerability, failing gloriously, ownership, awareness, self-observation, group dynamics, collective leadership, intention, commitment and play. The last skill, play, is vitally important. It's the work of children, how they original explore the world and they're place in it. So, it doesn't need to be taught, it needs to be supported and extended into every day activities. Play is curiosity. Play is creativity. Play is the key to joyful learning, which has no end-date.
I'm excited to hear your passion to start a new school. Do it! Clear intentions addressing a solid need... we need more of that. Do it now. :)
Josh Lee
aviva visoli
Within the education systems, the perception of reality as separate elements divided into discrete topics is still the predominant paradigm. The new, integral view, relates to the world as an interconnected system. This perception is the basis of the Integral Education , and thus defines a new, integrated approach to teaching. In doing so, it ushers the students into an integrated perception of reality, aligning them with today's integrated reality. In the integral education method, the student does not learn separate topics in a "linear" fashion. Rather, each topic is presented from the "circular" perspective, illustrating its connection to all the other topics.
Josh Lee
However, to find the passion I believe "circular" learning will be effective at showing the different sides and interactions between the trees of information. By observing the full bird's eye view of the world, I think students will be able to make a more informed decision with regards to their future than just going in blind to something they might not even like by the end.
aviva visoli
Our challenge today is not so much to acquire knowledge as it is to acquire the social skills to help ourselves and our children overcome and abundant alienation, suspicion, and mistrust we encounter today. To prepare us and our children for life in the 21st century, we need a school that teaches what makes our reality what it is, and what can we do to change it.
This does not mean that disseminating knowledge should stop, but that these lessons should be part of a larger story that reaches students how to cope in the world they are about to enter. They should be able to leave the classroom and use this knowledge to grasp the full picture of reality and the forces that design it, and to understand how they can use it to their benefit.
In nearly every country in the world, education systems are designed to prod students to aim for personal achievements. The higher the student 's grades, the higher his or her social status. In America, as in many countries in the West, this system not only measures how students perform, but how they perform in relation to others. This makes students not only want to excel, but inevitably makes them want their fellow students to fail.
In a globalized world where every person is dependent on the success and well-being of every other person, this Educational system must be reformed from it's root. Instead of trying to achieve personal distinction, the objectives should be to excel in promoting the success of the collective. This is the achievement that should ideally be most recognized and revered in our schools.
pat gilbert 50+
Thank you Karl Marx
Can you give me an example where this has been conducive to the individual?
Josh Lee
I think the problem with the individualistic point of view in regards to academic achievement is that the real world doesn't actually work on individual success. It takes a team player to achieve anything greater than what any individual could do.
To play in a team, you simply must have the ability to flawlessly communicate with your team members. This might include acts such as setting aside petty squabbles, staying focused on the task at hand, being organized, voicing your valid opinions with supporting arguments, listening to other opinions (just as important if not more), and to have a positive attitude or an understanding of how morale works. These are a few skills that would serve anyone incredible benefits in a team environment.
These skills are almost implied in courses that I've taken in university. But never taught as a stand alone course. It boggles my mind because some of these skills will drastically improve the lives of many people who don't possess these skills.
I think the best way to rebel against the current school system is to start a new one.
E Pines
Example 1: Mother Teresa's objectives.
Example 2: Martin Luther King Jr.'s objectives.
Example 3: Albert Einstein's objectives.
Example 4: Jonas Salk's objectives.
etc., etc., etc.
Those not making this "Marxist" listing:
Example 1: Tiger Woods's objectives.
Example 2; Madonna's objectives.
Example 3: Kim Kardashian's objectives.
Example 4: Donald Trump's objectives.
etc., etc., etc.
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Josh Lee
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Missa Crabbe
Missa Crabbe
Justin Ashton
James Zhang 30+
But that's just me anyways.
James Zhang 30+
So how do we do this?
Better Teachers: raise teacher salary. There are a lot of people who want to be teachers but they think teachers' salaries suck so they don't. Improve the education of teachers on how to teach. Universities do that.
Better Tools: Youtube, KhanAcademy, Internet, Facebook, Google+, TED, Coursera, etc. Because the demand for better education is high, there is now a demand for making better tools for teaching too, so we'll see better tools to come...
Josh Lee
Speaking of educational tools, I've always been a fan of video games (for a major part of my life) and I don't discount the fact that games are the most concentrated form of media (sound, visual, interaction, story, etc) and I think we can utilize this potential and make games fun to play and educational, perhaps even productive. It would be a stark contrast between dry and boring textbooks against fun and exciting educational games.
James Zhang 30+
I think raising the salary may help in the long run, not immediately. Raising the salary will increase the demand for smarter guys to teach. The smarter guys will have competition with the preexisting teachers, and usually it's the better ones that stay while the worse ones get kicked out. Once the demand is created, universities may start demanding a new course on new ways of teaching.
Or just creating an entirely new system altogether for teaching could be it too. Like online courses perhaps.
Atli Bjarnason
Josh Lee
Ultimately, you are what you know, and the word education tears down the limits of what you CAN know, which means there is no limit to your being. Hippy-istically speaking haha.
I think if we can find a way to plant dreams, passion and the willingness to keep learning; the world can be a much much better place...
Lawren Jones 10+
pat gilbert 50+
Derek Young 30+
Josh Lee
Right now it is only an idea but give it 10 years, I think it might just happen
Justin Ashton
Josh Lee
But yea, any sort of goal I have, its much easier to achieve if I break it down to smaller steps. Great advice.
Justin Ashton
"You may be to Young, But your Never to Old."
if you think of age restriction limits...it's true isn't it :D
Donald Blackmon
Lawren Jones 10+
Derek Young 30+
Josh Lee
If I wanted money, I'd have gone and become some CEO of some company, and spending ALL my time doing business and worrying about how I can improve our margins etc.
There will obviously be a fee for entering your child into the school, but for quality education? I don't think you can put a price on that..
Joanne Dempsey
peter lindsay 30+
Justin Ashton
Derek Young 30+
Justin Ashton
Derek Young 30+
Tanka Poudel
We need to understand the purpose of doing thing before we do it. By tagging something good or bad we acknowledge and show our own weakness cause we were the one who did that action in the first place. Finding out right reason / purpose to do an action will always give out best of results. So the first question will be "What do we expect and can expect from an educational system?", rest will be the steps necessary to make it happen.