Now, there was a recent survey. It went to many kindergarten classes at the beginning of the year and asked questions like: How many of you can sing? How many of you can dance? How many of you can draw? And if they could, they raised their hand. In Kindergarten, nearly everyone raised their hand. They went to universities. They asked the same questions they asked the Kindergardeners. Almost nobody raised their hand. Is "Education" teaching us what we can't do?
I don't think that the school system teaches a person that they suck. I believe that you basically learn to think more realistically hone in on your own strongest talents. In kindergarten if someone asks you if you can draw, your answer is based on the fact that yes you can draw, and you have drawn pictures and your mommy framed them on the fridge and you are awesome.
An older student would respond "no" because in comparison to those that focused on drawing, they really aren't that great and don't consider themselves a drawer. As people experience what they are good at they begin to categorize themselves, and throw out the categories that they see pointless in pursuing, when there are so many others in the world with better skills in that category.
Alric what are you talking about? No one teaches you what you are capable of. You don't walk into a room, sit down and a dude checks off which things you are good at. You start to realize your strengths as you go through life. Same goes for social skills, you develop those through your experiences and interactions, no one can sit don and teach you those things.
No Name: I had singing, and arts and crafts and stuff in kindergarten. But ya, you do have a point that the whole survey is flawed. You can't compare how a kindergartner answers the question with how a highschool student would, and say that they were taught that they have no skills. 3 questions about arts and crafts (things mostly only kindergartners have time for), that are supposed to be proof that the education system teaches people that they are worthless...doesn't make any sense.... Also why don't we go ahead and keep teaching watercolors throughout all 12 grades, and have play time in the middle of the day, so that people feel good about themselves. Nothing bugs me more than encouraging mediocrity. Life is tough, so toughen up. If you want to watercolor all day, and have your mommy pat you on the back, do it at home, and don't expect the rest of society to provide you with finger paints.
Flipski, your first post made my point. The older student categorizes themselves. The categorize by what they've been taught. Therefore, as they "throw away" categories, they have been taught they can't do it, and therefore do not do it, proving the educations system right. Also, you may not like it, but mediocrity is encouraged, as some parents tell their kids "Good Job" for getting C's and D's. Also, the last time I waterpainted was in art class in 4th grade.
The categorize by what they've been taught. Therefore, as they "throw away" categories, they have been taught they can't do it, and therefore do not do it, proving the educations system right.
This is absolutely incorrect; you are not taught in high school what you can and can't do. Students find out on their OWN time what they're capable of. If you hear a teacher saying "You can't do that, you don't have the ability," they don't deserve to be a teacerh. Extra curricular activities such as sports, fine arts programs, and even working a part-time job help you realize what you're good at.
personally i'm a rebel and no one tells me what i can and can't do society is so rule oriented after we get outta high school we're so brainwashed we'll do anything anyone with authority tells us i mean in kindergarten they tell us cops and firemen are great and we should listen to whatever they say meanwhile look at what happened to rodney king its just the government trying to keep us in check don't believe what anyone says find out for yourself
Alric what are you talking about? No one teaches you what you are capable of. You don't walk into a room, sit down and a dude checks off which things you are good at. You start to realize your strengths as you go through life. Same goes for social skills, you develop those through your experiences and interactions, no one can sit don and teach you those things.
I did not mean to imply that someone teaches you what you're capable of, but if you've never really been pushed or challenged to do something you thought you couldn't do, you won't know that you really can do anything, if you put your mind to it. I'm not saying teachers should organize bungee jumping field trips, but I don't think students are encouraged enough to stretch for that extra bit of effort.
As for social skills... Yes, you develop a large number of them by living life and making mistakes and watching what other people do. But I don't think anyone could read How to Win Friends and Influence People and not learn something.
Extra curricular activities such as sports, fine arts programs, and even working a part-time job help you realize what you're good at.
What if you attend a small school that doesn't offer football? What if your school doesn't have a theatre program? What if you really want to learn pottery, but your school doesn't have the resources to offer the course?
School should teach you some skill sets, yes. But more important than that is thought process. School should teach you to think for yourself. School should teach you that you can do and be anything you want. School should teach you HOW to learn, not WHAT to learn.
Malcolm Forbes, a successful businessman and founder of Forbes magazine once said:
Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.
Note he did not say "Education's purpose is to fill an empty mind with facts." Being a walking encyclopedia is a useless skill, unless you plan to follow in Ken Jennings's footsteps. Success comes not from knowing THINGS, but knowing how to overcome any situation, and knowing that you can.
I say again:
School should teach you HOW to learn, not WHAT to learn.
lol I think you guys misread my post. You guys are rephrasing my point that people realize their own capabilities and downsides and then categorize themselves. Of course a teacher doesn't come up to you, grabs your paintbrush and says "No timothy, you suck at painting. Heres a calculator".
Some teachers have told students not to do things if they are bad, and offer substitutes instead of having to say, draw. Flipski, do you still go to school? Things change.
Flipski, do you still go to school? Things change.
Even allowing for the above, I think this is an inappropriate use of that statement. For one thing Flipski didn't even go to school in the US, right? :P
Furthermore this conversation deals far too much in vague generalisations. The only credible statements of these sorts are derived from census-type studies and nationwide surveys, which I've yet to see being discussed. As it stands, unless somebody starts quoting sources the posts have to be regarded as speculations and impressions and nobody should pretend that they are otherwise.
