In this first posting, I would like to sketch out my conceptual framework for discussing my view of the difference between education and learning. I believe that every child possesses a special, unique gift, or gifts, at birth. And every child has immense creativity, curiosity, and industriousness if its gifts have not been stifled or killed by experiences in their families or at school.
In discussing this framework, I will need to use a few terms and phrases such as “innate,” a word that refers to a child’s gifts at birth. I will also discuss “paradigms” (a scientific word meaning “world view”), and “extrinsic” and “intrinsic” motivation.
There are a few additional words we will need to use, but they will be introduced at the appropriate time in discussions.
My hope is that this blog will provide a forum for introduction and discussion of ideas that will further the development of a more humane system of learning. Children deserve much more than they are getting from our conventional educational system.
Again, welcome, and please feel free to add your comments or questions.
What do you think are the major deficiencies of the conventional education system? What alternatives are there, and what characteristics make an educational alternative successful?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana. I’ll make some comments in response to your first question, but leave the second for a later discussion.
ReplyDeleteYour question was: What do you think are the major deficiencies of the conventional education system?
Please see my next post "Two Types of Learning."