If you have the time, this 11 minute video is fascinating. Sir Ken Robinson shares some interesting thoughts regarding education, especially government education, and even discusses the increased amount of children diagnosed with ADHD.
Please keep in mind that I do not agree with everything stated in this video, but I do find much of it to be accurate and thought-provoking. I would love to have seen some level of emphasis on the importance of the family's role in education, whether the child be in public, private, or home school.
I especially enjoyed the thought that "we should be waking them [the children] up to what they have inside of themselves."
About seven minutes into the video he briefly touches on the practice of what I call "conveyor belt education" and it's implications.
Near the end of the clip, he discusses the importance of divergent thinking, and shares a study that was done with kindergartners. Research found that 98% of the kindergartners excelled at divergent thinking, but their ability to think became more linear as they continued through school.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Keep in mind, I shared this video because I am passionate about education. Real education. Not rote memorization, not our government systems, not our standardized testing. Education. I especially love education when it places emphasis on the role of the family and the foundation of the Word.
I value education as a tool, and we must understand that is what it is; it is not a piece of paper to be idolized. It is a tool to enhance our life, and, perhaps to some extent, a means to an end.
I say this as a homeschooling mama with a master's degree, one who loves to learn and share, but believes our current system leaves much to be desired.
Kindly,
{Linked with Raising Homemakers}
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I am like you, I agree with much of what he is saying, but yes there is more that could be said about the importance of family/parents in the education process. And also, for us, a Bible based education brings everything together, being taught with the right perspective.
ReplyDeleteHe says at one point that different people learn best in different settings, like in small groups, large groups or alone, I do agree with that, but I don't like it when he ends with saying that "most great learning happens in groups...". That depends completely on the group and what the goal is, of that specific group.
My parents pretty much left it up to me and my teachers, and I honestly did not excel like I believe I could have, had my parents been more involved. At a certain point school became very boring, and I felt like I just had to get through to graduate.
Teaching my own my children, taught me that we do not ever have to stop learning. Subjects that were so boring to me in school had new life once we went about learning them in a whole new way, a way that was never presented to me in the PS system.
I loved learning, but that love was almost distinguished in the system. Thank God, that love was re-awakened, and we were provided an an alternative.
I can see how our gals have benefited from learning "outside the box". They are not afraid to tackle anything, and self-teach themselves new things still yet, by researching, reading, and gleaning information from several resources whenever there is something they want to know. There are no limits in their minds.
They are excelling in the gifts that God has blessed them with. That should be the goal of education, in my opinion, that each child learns what it is God has gifted them with, to be used for His glory. For the Christian family, that goes along with what he says, "we should be waking them up to what they have inside themselves."
Thank you for sharing this!
Mrs. C, I agree, a Bible-based education brings everything into perspective.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your comment... it was so inspiring :) Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I always enjoy what you have to say!
Thanks, Jaime, for stopping by and the happy wishes on our new daughter's arrival!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Hannah
Hi Jaime,
ReplyDeleteI saw this video awhile ago and was blown away by what I saw/heard. It confirmed my decision to homeschool even more! The U.S. public education system does such a disservice the the country's future adults.
On another note, I love your blog. I saw a link from Money Saving Mom to your bagel post, which I can't wait to try! I've hopped all over your blog. I love the diverse posts you have and I'm looking forward to learning so much! Thanks for sharing such great recipes, resources, and insights.
~Nicole