My opinions on education can be split into 2:
- The basic foundation it's based on (its core philosophy)
- The countless individual techniques and practices I think are great (e.g. more extensive work experience)
It's important that Change The Future is not about me personally trying to indoctrinate the general public so that everyone agrees with me and makes schools like I think they should be.
(for a start, I am still naive to lots about how education is actually managed, beyond the walls of the school)
My fight is simply about actively involving young people in their education, not just being passengers in it.
I don't just mean choosing a module of shakespeare. Unfortunately the life they need to be prepared for will demand bigger choices of them.
They need to be allowed to really take control of their path, thinking about the directions they can go; trying to guess what the options are at the end of each road
(and will they have to perservere through a boring journey to get there? are the roads rough, rocky and dangerous?) they need to learn to lead themselves as well as recognise dysfunctional systems; not just automatically become a cog in them!
They need to be allowed to really take control of their path, thinking about the directions they can go; trying to guess what the options are at the end of each road
(and will they have to perservere through a boring journey to get there? are the roads rough, rocky and dangerous?) they need to learn to lead themselves as well as recognise dysfunctional systems; not just automatically become a cog in them!
Life is full of difficult decisions
and loads of people are RUBBISH at making decisions; pretty much always 'cause of the same reason; they were Not allowed to (or encouraged to) make important decisions when they were younger.
(Also growing up with people who are rubbish at making decisions doesn't help... also being involved in other peoples' difficult decisions does help)
Parenting
Is obviously a massive part of how we are shaped (or mis shapen) as we grow up.
This is why schools need to drop the 'one size fits all' approach and realise that not all kids come from the same place. It IS the role of the school to help provide where parents fall short. It's not that hard!
For me, it was just getting a hug (and the odd wrestle) from my teachers (mostly the male ones probably, as I grew up without a dad and never realised how that probably affected me)
RAPHAEL (on facebook)
ReplyDelete--
Hi Luke,
I'm inclined to believe that democracy works best in moderation. Our schools are working decently right now, and what's flawed in them (eg underfunding, poor discipline, a lack of basic numeracy and literacy skills) won't be solved by giving pupils a greater say in their curriculum.
But regardless of their capability to make mature decision, do you really believe that ordinary students have the inclination to engage in the running of their schools?
Saw you blog article btw. Interesting ideas about direct democracy, but I think they're flawed. Let me know if you'd like to know why!
Heya,
ReplyDeleteYeah I would like to know your thoughts of course!
If schools are working decently right now, why are these massive problems so common:
• Students not enjoying or even HATING school
• Students forgetting vast majority of what they've learned in school
• People finishing school with little or no idea what they want to do next (or even what most of the options are!)
• People still not having discovered many of their hidden talents (or passions) even after many years of education
• People struggling with confidence, self direction, decision making capabilities, even depression
• MASSIVE truancy
to name a few.
I feel strongly that our schools are the opposite of working decently.
Re: students being inclined to engage in running their own schools I think no; barely any have that inclination.
ReplyDeleteThose that do probably gained a valuable insight and awareness from their family and/or friends.
Again, I blame the education system for this, for saying "I know whats best and you will obey mindlessly"
It's critical that we develop skills in criticising ourselves as well as things that affect us (individually and as a collective).
I see stupid and dysfunctional systems quite frequently, and I am inspired by the bold innovators that reinvent them and make them better.
The main reason I believe ordinary students have an overwhelming CAPACITY to engage in running their schools is not only because I've witnessed it in several places, but I was a prime example of an apathetic, disengaged, underperforming student with no interest in school really (let alone running it!) but I gradually became passionate about it when I felt I had a real platform at Sands School to be heard and respected, and I was influenced by older (and cool) students, and began to appreciate education when it felt like it was more about me, not just trying to make me fit me into a cookie a cutter, but put me out in the fray and tell me to work out what I need in order to graduate well-equipped for what I want to do.
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Of course the input from the older generation is essential. Teaching should not be 'hands off' but if young people are to guide themselves well (as well all need to learn to do) then what we need is good advice, not instructions we follow like robots, with dentions to 'think about what weve done' when we disobey orders.
The teachers (and hopefully other adults who visit the schools) need to understand how to communicate well with young people and be inspiring people to them as well as challenging.