tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post4561744703561938404..comments2024-03-22T05:45:28.281-07:00Comments on Departing the Text: education vs. Education: The Difference is in ExpectationsMERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author...http://www.blogger.com/profile/10310099341897509058noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post-48519549287655775162011-08-29T16:45:22.307-07:002011-08-29T16:45:22.307-07:00I tell my community college students that "kn...I tell my community college students that "knowledge is power...but action is what fuels it." Kind of like "faith without works is dead," I feel that knowledge without action is a bunch of things learned rattling around in one's head. I teach my courses in ways that encourage research and reading beyond the textbook, sharing of personal experiences that relate to our topics, engaging in discussion with classmates, imagining how the past (for my ancient studies courses) influences the present, and (in my global women's issues class) how students can step beyond the classroom to help make positive differences in the lives of women in other parts of the world.<br /><br />I fully agree with the differences between "education" and Education as Meryl presented them. We live in a time when children/youth have access to infinite amounts of knowledge; far and above what people of my generation had. I feel that teachers must acknowledge this fact and use the opportunity to guide students into critical evaluation and thinking. And how to use the global network wisely and creatively for their present and future success.Carmen @ Life Lines Positive Thoughtshttp://positiverandomthoughts.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post-69718783399961168162011-08-22T16:45:32.339-07:002011-08-22T16:45:32.339-07:00you bring up valid points. I do not think that edu...you bring up valid points. I do not think that education is Important anymore in the US, sadly. I see other agendas being pumped into the students today and even 17+ years ago when both my boys where in school. too much stress on politically correct and lots of teachers that really are not interested in teaching, just doing it because they can not find a job in the field they really wanted. when my oldest was in elementary school we were told he had a learning disability but there was no 'formal' lesson [plan for it... so they adjusted his work load & had the less # also relate to having a higher amount correct to get his grade. But high school had nothing to offer, we went o conferences but were never told what we could do to help him and that they had nothing to offer... he barely skated by to graduation. the sad part is that when tested in elementary school (& later) he could read & comprehend way beyond his grade level ( the 1 child that followed my love of reading) but he could not get it down on paper... he could verbally get all the answers correct, but not if it had written quiz. both are very creative & have a great work ethic & work hard. The oldest works in a production (coffee manufacturing) industry that he started on the bottom but learned everything he could & joined committees ect and now is one of the top people in the production floor( & 1 of top coffee roasters & quality control). the youngest had "math" problems in elementary school & they took him out for special classes... I think that lasted only 1 semester as he hated being "spotted out" and in his opinion looking "stupid" for needing special help, he over came what his problem was, if there was really one ( I think he was bored) and eventually had high grades throughout his academic career... he also 'hated' reading, he use to tell me it was wasting time ( he would rather be active outside, LOL) this son went on to getting a degree in computers & communications and had to take very hard advanced math classes which he really did not have problems with... we always encouraged them both, and helped where we could and with ways we only knew how too, but both later kept us out of any loops if they were having any issues & worked them out themselves. we are proud of both. so the "system" back then, which tried to help & teach, was of little help, but we as parents made them still be responsible for what ever they did educational or in life. the 'system' now seems to have taken all control, responsibility & discipline out if the parents & teachers ( those that are interested in their students)hands... leading to a lot of kids that just do not learn the basics let alone any respect and only few that really want to learn & go on to higher education or on the job skills for a responsible way to earn a living wage. JMHO.<br />the states & government in general need to stop 'dumbing' down our kids and let them learn, give the yearning to learn more & of course just be respectful of others. sorry I rambled, and maybe got off target... I enjoy your thoughtful posts.Faythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16034410853774096838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post-70728313665615480782011-08-17T05:46:07.478-07:002011-08-17T05:46:07.478-07:00Good post about E/education. I think teaching towa...Good post about E/education. I think teaching towards a state curriculum with the expectation that students spit back what they've learned is minimal and frustrating for children that are capable of so much more. There aren't any easy answers but I'm in favor of a broad based liberal arts curriculum. If students master that they shouldn't have any trouble with the tests. If they are taught with the idea that all they have to master is what's likely to be on state tests they suffer in the long run.Carverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05968919406427737503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post-89646775110484232712011-08-17T04:10:53.433-07:002011-08-17T04:10:53.433-07:00My kind of post. This is why my favorite definitio...My kind of post. This is why my favorite definition of Education is change for the better.Hazelhttp://delineatingdes.blogspot.com/2011/08/enigma-variations.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post-74250846944808782072011-08-16T22:43:07.853-07:002011-08-16T22:43:07.853-07:00A good mixture of fun learning is always the best...A good mixture of fun learning is always the best.Chubskulit Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05001712096042262296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post-87722258089268381832011-08-16T21:05:29.173-07:002011-08-16T21:05:29.173-07:00Education is always a necessary thing for "kn...Education is always a necessary thing for "knowledge is power" but one whould always complete it when they start since "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" ;)<br /><br />Pheno, ABCW TeamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post-53539609078151887612011-08-16T19:07:10.522-07:002011-08-16T19:07:10.522-07:00I'm from the era of rote learning - spewing ba...I'm from the era of rote learning - spewing back what the teacher lectured or what the textbook said. As a teacher, my philosophy was that if it weren't fun for ME, then it weren't fun for the kids! I incorporated all types of learning - sometimes rote is necessary but usually I brought some sort of game into it. I brought in videos, special guest speakers, had kids do book reports orally where they could do it in any way they wanted - some dressed up as characters, some did posters, some made videos or got others in the class to create a scene from the book. When assigning major projects, I always had lots for kids to choose from. Those who were great writers could write if they chose and those who weren't great writers could do other things - a play, something artistic, or computer generated. These were intermediate grade kids and it was so much fun watching them choose (with my support & approval) their projects and share their ideas with others. I do miss parts of being in the classroom, but frankly, the administration (and some parents) just ruined it for me - abiding by the "rules," teaching to the annual government "tests" that graded schools according to the results of the kids' scores, etc. SO WRONG! Now I tutor kids privately - those who WANT to learn and to do well in school regardless of the learning style used in the classroom. I'm looking forward to a new school year with "my" kids now! Great post, Meryl.<br /><br />Leslie<br />abcw teamLeslie:https://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post-70490806301217324602011-08-16T15:30:47.823-07:002011-08-16T15:30:47.823-07:00I agree with you about the importance of studying ...I agree with you about the importance of studying the classics...Berownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09524661173663604641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post-34832934200259287062011-08-16T14:27:24.254-07:002011-08-16T14:27:24.254-07:00I liked my education, but fear for the teaching to...I liked my education, but fear for the teaching to the test.Roger Owen Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05298172138307632062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post-63484355495391069172011-08-16T14:05:40.561-07:002011-08-16T14:05:40.561-07:00It was so long ago, I really don't remember. I...It was so long ago, I really don't remember. I think after graduation I learnt a lot of things in the "School of Hard Knocks" so to speak. I think the great thing about education it never needs to end, if we want it that way. I still like learning new things, and I'm no Spring Chicken. Gigi Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08092019687497845746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535525493775623042.post-83012052631418164092011-08-16T13:16:05.067-07:002011-08-16T13:16:05.067-07:00You elucidated the issue so very well, Meryl. Som...You elucidated the issue so very well, Meryl. Somehow I think I received both types, little e and big E.<br />A Catholic grade school and high school in the 40's and 50's was pretty much little e, what you must commit to memory in order to be educated. And I did well on the tests, SAT or ACT, and later GRE. But I got the Big E while attending a liberal arts college run by an amazing group of Dominican nuns in the early 60's. Sophomore year was basically one course: the culture of Europe from the Middle Ages, art, music, literature, philosophy, history and senior year we studied the new nations of Africa and their cultures. I entered into a world that was beyond any I had ever known! I am sickened by dominance these days of the little e and I regret very much what it and the testing mania have done to the whole concept of learning as an individual and as a community. Sorry to go on so.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01947142732753014733noreply@blogger.com