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In your opinion, what should the purpose of education be?
Education is a prominent cultural institution used to perpetuate the prevailing values of a society.
Our modern education system has a sordid past largely rooted in industrialism. It's aim is to produce economically viable products--employable citizens. Nearly all our tweaks to the system in the last 100+ years are simply attempts to ensure that the products (graduates) are prepared for the work force.
I want to hear from YOU as I believe this conversation is crucial to lay a foundation to create significant and meaningful change.
Here is my answer:
I believe that education should be an empowering process that allows and guides children to develop their passions, critical thinking, compassion, and orientation towards wisdom for timely action.
In other words, self-cultivation should be the purpose of education. Understanding self-cultivation in terms of being a part of a unified field of relationships is key to the growth of a mature culture of peace. When the natural web of our relationships is used to strengthen our depth of knowledge, the feedback from the environment supports timely adjustments and refinements in our emotional and technical developments.
For this conversation, please focus on the question "in your opinion, what should the purpose of education be?"
We'll talk about the "how" in another conversation.
Closing Statement from Adam Burk
Thank you all for joining this conversation. There are beautiful aspirations here of bringing for the best of humanity through the development of individuals, married with tensions to ensure that society is served and supported and that the basics are not overlooked.
There are currently 365 comments and 365 distinct articulations of "what the purpose of education should be." The process to develop a consensus on this is beyond the scope and purpose of this conversation. However, I do hope that it is understood that this question and its answer are the shapers of education systems and in turn cultures.
And so I invite you to ponder the question Thomas Brucia raised earlier, "Who should decide what the purpose of education is? http://www.ted.com/conversations/8190/who_should_decide_what_the_pur.html
Once we decide who should be making that decision then we can return to my original question and ultimately re-inventing education.
Thank you all again for sharing of your selves.
In peace,
Adam
Robert Winner 50+
Caitlin Luview
There is nothing more important than education. Lifelong learning is a process we all participate in, knowingly or unknowingly, in each and every moment. We are all interconnected with each other and with nature's systems. This is why I feel that your question, "In your opinion, what should the purpose of education be?" is quintessential. The answer must come from a deep causal root of understanding from which all things stem and intertwine. That said, here is an attempt at an answer.
The purpose of education, on all levels, is for each and every person—both within the collective whole of humanity and individually as a vitally necessary, and fully whole and contributing part—to ultimately reach the full realization of what it means to be human.
By explaining and pointing to this foundational root of understanding, in each and every activity, subject, and direction, that the most basic, common law thread that runs through all of nature is the greatest Human Universal known as The Ethic of Reciprocity, also known as The Golden Rule, each person, and all people together have the best opportunity to fully realize their humanity, as empathic, compassionate humans that care for the needs of others in all areas of society.
Human Universals bind us together as one great global human family. The Human Universal called "The Ethic of Reciprocity," also known as "The Golden Rule," expresses itself throughout the world in varying degrees, through phrases such as, "Do not do to others what you yourself hate," "Do to others what you would want done to you," "Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss," and "Love your neighbor as yourself," to name a few.
If one generation of children were to be educated with this natural law of love and unity as the basis for all decisions, approaches, and mentalities, just imagine the impact.
yuvi selvarajah
Matteo Catanzano
Helen Hupe 30+
and how to love others. AND to be a critical thinker not an accepting follower. To be authentic and compassionate is the short answer.
Adam Burk 500+
There are currently 365 comments and 365 distinct articulations of "what the purpose of education should be." The process to develop a consensus on this is beyond the scope and purpose of this conversation. However, I do hope that it is understood that this question and its answer are the shapers of education systems and in turn cultures.
And so I invite you to ponder the question Thomas Brucia raised earlier, "Who should decide what the purpose of education is? http://www.ted.com/conversations/8190/who_should_decide_what_the_pur.html
Once we decide who should be making that decision then we can return to my original question and ultimately re-inventing education.
Thank you all again for sharing of your selves.
In peace,
Adam
Don Wesley 50+
The Science of the "Silent Generation" is the "lever" which moved us to where we are today.
http://innjustice.blogspot.com/2011/12/science-of-silent-generation-is-lever.html
Until soon,
Aware of and caring about you
Don [From The Silent Generation - 1930's]
Phillip Scheldt
My point is simple. WE were responsible for the education of our children. The Schools, peers, and synagogue, were responsible for their "well rounded" personalities and education.
Don Wesley 50+
I believe that old men, who have lived out their lives according the laws of the creator, hold the distilled truths about children. Children are simply amazing little bundles of wonder.
I talked to three old men who fit this criteria during the past few days [hours of asking and listening] and heard beautiful stories of what they learned from their parents at ages of 3, 4 and more.
All these men were brought up on the farm, where survival depended on knowledge and wisdom. Without that knowledge and wisdom their stories were filled with suffering.
Instant happiness flows from me in the presence of a child. They are so precious, so beautiful. Learn from the child within us!
Good old people are masterpieces of distilled wisdom. Go and talk to your parents and grand parents while they are still alive and listen to their answers to “What are the Top things that their parents taught them before 6?” You will be amazed and you will do them honour!
Realize that you get more things wrong than right!
At this moment Dec 28, 2011, there are 323 comments of wisdom from beautiful people of all ages, in this conversation. I thank our creator for TED.
I don’t want to offend anyone, so I went deep into my courage to add this comment today!
Love to all of you
Don [From The Silent Generation - 1930's]
Mary M. 100+
http://www.ted.com/talks/ramona_pierson_an_unexpected_place_of_healing.html
It is always a pleasure to read your comment.
Don Wesley 50+
My parents were away for much of my childhood. Both worked for the richest people in Canada at the time. Both my parents were from Britain and times were tough.
My Mom, was a Nanny for the Bronfman Family[Seagram's] and my Dad was a body-guard and chauffer for the Sir Herbert Holt. They were often in the Bahamas.
We lived in a cold water flat, with a small central stove which was frequently out of coal. I walked to school from grade one.
I could say my education seemed alone and as a quiet observer. By the time I was seven we had a radio.
I was often left in the care of local families; both French and Jewish. Some were elderly women who kept me. I spent time on two farms during a few weeks of the summer. I never felt abused.
For more info visit my Blog: http://innjustice.blogspot.com/p/inn-justice.html
They did teach me to pray to God, which I did often when I felt alone and fearful.
Other Nannies, friends to my Mother, taught me to read and write.
They gave me toys and books; which included a Bible. Nancy Drew mystery books were my favourites. I had a chemistry set and a “mechano” set and an electric train.
I also had a crystal radio. My Mom told me about her life in Scotland; many stories of difficult times. My parents then separated before I was six; that made it 1939!
M brother went to WWII. And my days always seemed alone. At 8 years of age, while on a farm I was bitten by a dog and under went the treatment of the times for rabies.
At 9 we moved into the downtown area of Montreal where I had access to the YMCA and McGill libraries and fascinating apartment people. I now lived in a heated apartment. I was clearly entrepreneurial. I baby-sat children; I loved children.
I survived and by 19, I was a Commissioned Officer in the Canadian Military. I was a passionate fighter for those who were victims of evil.
Mary, you just opened a door into my mind. I feel the Grace of God.
Mary M. 100+
Mr. Wesley, let me just add something for your reflection: If you, being an imperfect man, with limited knowledge of life and human affairs felt at the age of 19 a desire to fight passionately for those who were victims of evil, then how much more so must our Creator be anxious to rid evil from the earth. His patience is beyond my comprehension.....especially when I reflect on passages such as Second Peter chapter three and verses three through thirteen.
May you continue to enrich the lives of those you come in contact with.
Mary
**To bring my comment back to the discussion: The purpose of education....I think education should make you a better person. And, in my opinion, we can be educated by anyone, anywhere, at anytime. We therefore need to always have an open mind for learning. Mr. Wesley has just educated me...and I am so very thankful.
Don Wesley 50+
Everyone young and old call me Don; I feel welcomed by them.
I don't know Mr. Wesley.
When I spent much of my time at Sikh Temple, they called me Mr.Don
http://www.ted.com/profiles/985830
Don
Erin Bridwell
Mihai Popeti
Freedom of thought - Supplying cognitive instruments / tools, powerful metaphors, learning to master grammar and algorithmic thought
Freedom of affect - Allowing to feel oneself, to develop an empathic theory of mind, to be able to "deeply" connect to the world: rather then just "think about it" - "feel a part of it". Feel freely about love, death, loneliness and meaninglesness (the 4 existential categories proposed by Yalom)
Freedom of expression - Ability to learn languages: foreign languages, programming languages, mathematical descriptions of reality, Ability to use one's voice in speach and tone-shaping, Graphic and literary forms of expression
Freedom of communion - Team skills, Problem solving and negociating skills, basic political and social concepts applied.
- I think the whole concept of education should be about enabling children to do whatever they want to do - to make them understand that learning is not something they "have to" but something they want to in order to do whatever makes them happy. I don't think a reform in education will do it. Old forms of education have their merits and sometimes when dilluted with a bit of freedom concepts have shovn worse results than the original - which only goes to show that sometimes a full-hearted choice or the other is better than any compromise.
Uba D Tmar
Yadvendra Jadon
1. Develop an ability to simplify things.
2. Develop a good sense of values.
3. Develop civic sense.
Augustus Yuan
The main problem with this form of learning is that it is heavily dependent on the student. In our current education system, we simply feed people knowledge that society has deemed "important" or "necessary." In this idealistic world, the student will have to know what he/she wants to learn and in a lot of cases, people don't know what they want to learn or what they want to do. It requires a lot of self-motivation and self-discovery because people can and should be able to always change what they want to learn, what they want to be, etc. Of course, this skepticism should be saved for the "how" conversation you mentioned.
Emma Fletcher
Sivaprasad Sreenivasan
The education system has more or less remained lethargic ,out of sync and unprepared with these fascinating and accessible changes happening around for these kids, which also bring a disturbing sense of apprehensions when it comes to the content they have access to as they swim through them freely, unguided and unchallenged.. The conventional education is sluggish owing to its "logistics". However a non transformation is reason to for worry.
The transformation has to happen not only in the content but also in delivery and reach. There is large population of kids who does not have access these changes and rely on the conventional sources for their daily dose of information and connect. This is a huge divide and can make them just gape at the acts of their "advanced" counterparts with just wonder in their eyes as they grow up..not worthy of competition in a non level playground..
Oscar García
Emma Fletcher
Mark Hurych
What is the purpose of education? Does it have a purpose? If so, how do we know when we have it right?
In the context of the industrial revolution, there were many valuable lessons that we could have learned about the value of educating people in a systemized way. The problem, I think, is that we didn't learn these lessons because we deferred to experts and politicians.
What is the purpose of a baby? Same question really, just a different context. Maybe we should ask what is the purpose, the why, in life itself? As in: What is the purpose of promoting well-being for everyone and strong thriving communities on the whole planet. What would that even look like?
What if we developed the bonds of humanity so well that everyone was perpetually contagiously happy. This seems to be a choice between survive and thrive or between ceasefire and loving relations.
What if we had a gift economy? What if we saw real and economic value in natural capital? What if we gave people opportunities to practice what they have a natural talent to do well? Wow. We might need lots of practice appreciating clumsy fumbling beginner efforts.
What if it's too hard or we're not really up for it?
From my experience in seeing the plots of our end-of-the-world movies, it seems we need to learn that we've already invaded our own planet. We are at war with our own long-term existence. Maybe we could kick off a really enlightening education revolution by producing a movie that shows we are already dooming our future survival. The trick is to be clearly understood without causing depression or panic.
I think we should be asking ourselves lots and lots of "what if" questions to really open up the context and create new possibilities.
What if...
Don Wesley 50+
1. - Self actualize - Maslow
2. – Survive – problem solve - creativity
3. – Empathise – love – aware and caring – curiosity
4. - Justice - Right and logic – no fence sitting
5. - Family values
6. – Arts
7. – Don’t fear to be wrong
http://innjustice.blogspot.com/2011/11/hello-to-everyone-on-this-ted.html
Aware of and caring about you
Don [From The Silent Generation - 1930's]
Mark Hurych
Spooky that you posted your blog on my birthday, but that's besides the point: You make a very good point about age and wisdom. To follow my own rule, I HAVE to ask the rhetorical question. What if we imparted wisdom? I mean what if the very purpose of education was to impart wisdom? Dare we wish for this? I dare say we are not overly supplied with wisdom as it is, and the practice of getting the eldest and youngest members of our species together seems to be a very good one. Could the purpose of education be to build bridges? Bridges such as these?
Don Wesley 50+
Good metaphors we must use to “reveal wisdom” - bridges to virtues is a good idea.
You are demonstrating your wisdom by acknowledging the question and the replies.
Happy birthday Mark.
Until soon,
Aware of and caring about you
Don [From The Silent Generation - 1930's]
Adam Burk 500+
The idea of imparting wisdom is at the core of my current (and likely lifelong) pursuits. How do we do that in a world where we are "not overly supplied" with it as you say? What are the environments (physical, social, and interpersonal) that are most conducive to doing so? Those are the questions that I am thinking about and experimenting with.
Thanks for joining the conversation.
Inês Magalhães Correia
Daniela Fogageira
C Medansky
I certainly agree that our modern education system derived from perpetuating the values of industrialism; the problem is that while basic literacy prepares workers for a position within the industry it does not concern itself with the special abilities that exist in each child allowing them to develop and contribute to society as is best for them.
Although education and literacy are distinct, the emphasis must always be on education. The elements of literacy should be integrated throughout the day in a social manner through music, theatre, games and in the form of group discussions where the educators’ job is to assist students in transitioning from topic to topic and students learn how the various disciplines are tied into the whole picture of reality.
The purpose of education should be to prepare children for life, nourishing the potential in every child so that each may connect and contribute his/her unique ideas and abilities to society.
E Pines
The industrial age has been passing to the information age, and now to the global/integral age.
In the 13th century Leonardo of Pisa, "Fibonacci," widely introduced Italy and Europe to the Hindu-Arabic numeral system and its wonderful arithmetic. It freed them of the hopeless entanglement and debilitation of commerce and engineering under Roman numerals and abacus.
Who shall come forth for 21st century children so that they may have the tools to untangle the global systemic mess. That they may work as a single vast strategist and tactician with billions of eyes, where all individuals use their unique talents, creativity, and problem solving skills in mutual concern and guarantee that links into a whole truly greater than the sum of the parts. Who will teach them to map and implement the interactive/interdependent strategies of Nature, on the human level, to achieve a world never before known. Who will bring our children to adapt, evolve, survive and thrive -- to start that great new chapter of human history, to fly forth as the butterfly from the overspent, rapidly decaying cocoon?
C Medansky
“Education must simultaneously provide maps of a complex world in constant turmoil and the compass that will enable people to find their way in it.” (Delors Report, Learning: the Treasure Within)
Mark Hurych
I wonder whether you would accept that potential as the potential to love, potential to empathize, potential to play, create, to be happy, to spread happiness, to be sensitive to the needs of our planet. I'm speaking about things that occur to me as usually not associated with head thinking or knowledge learning per se, but rather strength of spirit and heart. Even when we include health and safety (and physical agility, strength and endurance) still--emotional power and well-being often seem at the end of the list so to speak.
C Medansky
Valerie Netto
Uba D Tmar
Zhiying Li
Emmanuel chang
To me the purpose of education is about providing a viable and open platform where 'growth' of an individual is nurtured to its highest potential in confluence with their environment.