Education has become a critical part of a functioning society. As the economy and jobs became more diversified the need for schooling became critical. The world is living in an age of mass literacy. There are some countries that lag behind in providing public education to its citizens, but this will soon change. The average laborer will have to have a multitude of skills to stay in the 21st century. While there are many who support education being available to all, the purpose of it has become lost. Education is not about getting a higher paying job or simply being a useful tool to society. There is a true purpose to learning that extends beyond material desires . The most pivotal goal is to create a critical thinker. A society will never advance if members do not develop original ideas or formulate different solutions to human problems. Beyond just becoming a mere analyst of information, there should be an intent to produce a new body of knowledge. There should be with in the process of education in which a student masters how to produce a body of work. This epistemological development should result in the ability to use logic to solve challenging questions. From this, an individual will have the ability to develop a new set of convictions. Education should seek to encourage discovery of new knowledge. Without that desire to know or curiosity many of the major milestones in science, history, philosophy, politics, law, or mathematics would have never seen light. Once a civilization loses its desire for curiosity or discovery it deteriorates. The final stage in this process of learning is that it is a life long journey. The acquisition of knowledge does not end with the completion of school, but continues. The world is rapidly changing both politically and economically. One must understand these changes if they are to adjust. Education is in its purest form the quest for ultimate knowledge.
Critical thinking skills are essential to a decision making process. It involves being able to not only absorb information, but analyze and reason to an answer. Making connections from the information you are given and fully comprehending its relevance are important skills. This is a method to distinguish fact from fabrication. Asking simply why an event or a phenomenon happened is the first step to critical thought. The teaching of basic reading, writing, and math provides a solid foundation. If a person has fully mastered critical thinking they will be able to read the text and extract its significance. This ability is not just for the sake of taking an examination or passing a class it is needed in life. If a citizen is going to participate in the electoral process they will need to understand how government works. They will need to examine carefully the backgrounds of the candidates they elect. There is a vast body of information widely available, but it takes meticulous deciphering. If most citizens cannot do this, then the political system will fall into turmoil. A personal who thinks critically will not accept the status quo or the commonly accepted conventions. Critical thinking can also help detect falsehoods presented as facts. Intelligent design, climate change denial, or any other type of pseudoscience has gained mainstream acceptance. The goal of primary, secondary, and tertiary education should be to develop critical thinking skills, while simultaneously exposing students to new knowledge. From this stage students will develop their own ideas.
There comes a time when simply reading material is not enough. Some seek to produce their own body of work. This could be in any academic subject area including the arts, sciences, or mathematics. The intent should be the ability to formulate new ideas. This maintains a well developed society. Civilizations will collapse if they no longer attempt to innovate. This explains why societies the emphasize conformity will not progress. If the majority thinks the same way, new ideas will never emerge. What education should not be is indoctrination. The lugubrious element about public education is that to an extent it seeks to impose common values on all of its citizens, even some that would be aberrant. It is no secret that in public schools of most nations they glorify aspects of their history, yet ignore past abuses. The United States teaches students in particular that the country is a guiding force for democracy, while ignoring the nation was built on slavery, the genocide of the Native Americans, and the exploitation of working class people. The UK also in its public schools glorifies the past of the British Empire, even though it oppressed millions during its existence. More conservative societies may not question religious dogma. A Catholic school may not want to teach the theory of evolution or a madrassa. This is effectively stifling a student from information and knowledge. It limits their potential and the quality of their education. While there are issues in the teaching of history, science is another matter. Science has regularly been attacked when it conflicts with common held public convictions. Biology and astronomy are in particular targeted. This is done to preserve the idea of an all knowing and all powerful God. Such ideas seem antiquated in a world advancing in terms of science and technology. At some point there may be students who either just distance themselves completely or attempt to produce their own work and challenge current belief systems. Out of this transformation could come new ideas.
Curiosity and the desire to discover is what keeps society running. Science has shown that curiosity has driven human history. The desire to explore the human body allowed for advances in biomedical science. The wonder in regards to outer space has given humanity a glimpse into exoplanets, black holes, and galaxies. Education should induce this desire to discover and know more. An educator, teacher, or professor should act as a mentor to their students. Sadly, this value is not supported in modern day society. Teaching pays very little causing a low quality workforce and a high turn over rate. Another issue is that a large portion of teachers have low expectations of students and their ability to learn. Such negative attitudes produce students who either disengage or continue to struggle with their courses. The role of the teacher is to create that sense of curiosity and desire for discovery. Most do not think in this manner and it has devastating effects on future generations. When a society becomes philistine it will become fragile. People rather not think, but waste time on frivolous distractions or engage in hedonistic or pointless activity. People should strive for more or something higher. Discovering more about the world and existence adds a meaningful purpose to life. When one discovery is made, this leads to more curiosity. This desire to know is what propelled humanity to explore, create, and thrive.
Education and learning should be a lifetime activity. It does not end with the completion of a degree. The mind should receive exercise just as much as the physical body. There is a common belief that as we age it becomes more difficult to learn new information. This is not the case if one continues consistently to learn. This could have to do with motivation and desire. One has to want to learn. Closed minded or rigidly thinking individuals will have difficulty trying to understand or grasp new ideas or systems of knowledge. This may actually be good for one's physical health. Memory as we age becomes less sharp and the brain under goes changes. The longer a person lives the greater the risk for dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases. Keeping the mind and brain active could ensure health of the nervous system. Maybe it could also maintain optimum mental health, giving an individual a feeling of fulfillment. A more practical reason for being a life long learner is remaining relevant in the workforce. Many low skill and manual labor jobs will be replaced by technology. A modern workforce will have to be able to absorb new information and apply it rapidly. Either getting higher education or being self taught in various skills will keep the majority of the population employed. Besides a more practical reason for life long learning, there is a joy to finding things out. Exploring new topics or subjects reveal a world of wonder.
The reasons for getting an education are normally discussed in terms of material gain. Job security, status, or financial gain are seen as the only reason in the majority of the public. Many have forgotten the long philosophical tradition that aimed to mold people into something new. The duty of schools and universities is to transform men and women into a generation of bold thinkers, who have the mastery of knowledge. Universities continue to produce quality graduates, but this could be lost if they do not understand education's original purpose. Liberal arts should not be ignored in the curriculum in favor of schooling just directed at employment. There are already vocational schools that train people for certain professions. Too often when students finish their academic program, they wonder who they will work for. There is never a consideration for either employing oneself or starting their own business. The hope is with a change in pedagogy a new group of people will emerge that will change society for the better. When one harnesses the power of thought and knowledge they achieve a new level. Education is a quest for knowledge and there are many questions to be answered.
Critical thinking skills are essential to a decision making process. It involves being able to not only absorb information, but analyze and reason to an answer. Making connections from the information you are given and fully comprehending its relevance are important skills. This is a method to distinguish fact from fabrication. Asking simply why an event or a phenomenon happened is the first step to critical thought. The teaching of basic reading, writing, and math provides a solid foundation. If a person has fully mastered critical thinking they will be able to read the text and extract its significance. This ability is not just for the sake of taking an examination or passing a class it is needed in life. If a citizen is going to participate in the electoral process they will need to understand how government works. They will need to examine carefully the backgrounds of the candidates they elect. There is a vast body of information widely available, but it takes meticulous deciphering. If most citizens cannot do this, then the political system will fall into turmoil. A personal who thinks critically will not accept the status quo or the commonly accepted conventions. Critical thinking can also help detect falsehoods presented as facts. Intelligent design, climate change denial, or any other type of pseudoscience has gained mainstream acceptance. The goal of primary, secondary, and tertiary education should be to develop critical thinking skills, while simultaneously exposing students to new knowledge. From this stage students will develop their own ideas.
There comes a time when simply reading material is not enough. Some seek to produce their own body of work. This could be in any academic subject area including the arts, sciences, or mathematics. The intent should be the ability to formulate new ideas. This maintains a well developed society. Civilizations will collapse if they no longer attempt to innovate. This explains why societies the emphasize conformity will not progress. If the majority thinks the same way, new ideas will never emerge. What education should not be is indoctrination. The lugubrious element about public education is that to an extent it seeks to impose common values on all of its citizens, even some that would be aberrant. It is no secret that in public schools of most nations they glorify aspects of their history, yet ignore past abuses. The United States teaches students in particular that the country is a guiding force for democracy, while ignoring the nation was built on slavery, the genocide of the Native Americans, and the exploitation of working class people. The UK also in its public schools glorifies the past of the British Empire, even though it oppressed millions during its existence. More conservative societies may not question religious dogma. A Catholic school may not want to teach the theory of evolution or a madrassa. This is effectively stifling a student from information and knowledge. It limits their potential and the quality of their education. While there are issues in the teaching of history, science is another matter. Science has regularly been attacked when it conflicts with common held public convictions. Biology and astronomy are in particular targeted. This is done to preserve the idea of an all knowing and all powerful God. Such ideas seem antiquated in a world advancing in terms of science and technology. At some point there may be students who either just distance themselves completely or attempt to produce their own work and challenge current belief systems. Out of this transformation could come new ideas.
Curiosity and the desire to discover is what keeps society running. Science has shown that curiosity has driven human history. The desire to explore the human body allowed for advances in biomedical science. The wonder in regards to outer space has given humanity a glimpse into exoplanets, black holes, and galaxies. Education should induce this desire to discover and know more. An educator, teacher, or professor should act as a mentor to their students. Sadly, this value is not supported in modern day society. Teaching pays very little causing a low quality workforce and a high turn over rate. Another issue is that a large portion of teachers have low expectations of students and their ability to learn. Such negative attitudes produce students who either disengage or continue to struggle with their courses. The role of the teacher is to create that sense of curiosity and desire for discovery. Most do not think in this manner and it has devastating effects on future generations. When a society becomes philistine it will become fragile. People rather not think, but waste time on frivolous distractions or engage in hedonistic or pointless activity. People should strive for more or something higher. Discovering more about the world and existence adds a meaningful purpose to life. When one discovery is made, this leads to more curiosity. This desire to know is what propelled humanity to explore, create, and thrive.
Education and learning should be a lifetime activity. It does not end with the completion of a degree. The mind should receive exercise just as much as the physical body. There is a common belief that as we age it becomes more difficult to learn new information. This is not the case if one continues consistently to learn. This could have to do with motivation and desire. One has to want to learn. Closed minded or rigidly thinking individuals will have difficulty trying to understand or grasp new ideas or systems of knowledge. This may actually be good for one's physical health. Memory as we age becomes less sharp and the brain under goes changes. The longer a person lives the greater the risk for dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases. Keeping the mind and brain active could ensure health of the nervous system. Maybe it could also maintain optimum mental health, giving an individual a feeling of fulfillment. A more practical reason for being a life long learner is remaining relevant in the workforce. Many low skill and manual labor jobs will be replaced by technology. A modern workforce will have to be able to absorb new information and apply it rapidly. Either getting higher education or being self taught in various skills will keep the majority of the population employed. Besides a more practical reason for life long learning, there is a joy to finding things out. Exploring new topics or subjects reveal a world of wonder.
The reasons for getting an education are normally discussed in terms of material gain. Job security, status, or financial gain are seen as the only reason in the majority of the public. Many have forgotten the long philosophical tradition that aimed to mold people into something new. The duty of schools and universities is to transform men and women into a generation of bold thinkers, who have the mastery of knowledge. Universities continue to produce quality graduates, but this could be lost if they do not understand education's original purpose. Liberal arts should not be ignored in the curriculum in favor of schooling just directed at employment. There are already vocational schools that train people for certain professions. Too often when students finish their academic program, they wonder who they will work for. There is never a consideration for either employing oneself or starting their own business. The hope is with a change in pedagogy a new group of people will emerge that will change society for the better. When one harnesses the power of thought and knowledge they achieve a new level. Education is a quest for knowledge and there are many questions to be answered.
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