Even before I have found any blogs to post and share, I know what I will be searching for. Since class started, I've found myself increasingly obsessed and monomaniac with regard to the relationship between school/education and society. Constantly vacillating and torn to the very fibers of my pedagogical being. Therefore, I've determined to seek out further perspectives on this issue in hopes of easing this turbulent ignorance. Specifically, I would like to find a blog that represents both sides of this issue.
On the other side of this issue, I found this blog: http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher-network/2012/jan/04/philosophy-of-education. This blogger argues that education is its own reward, and that a rich and full education leads to a more actualized and fulfilled existence, "Surely pupils should learn about Shakespeare, Darwin and personal financial management as ends in themselves to enrich their own lives. To paraphrase Matthew Arnold, young people deserve this "inheritance" as a right and treasure as its own gift – to fill schools with the sweetness and light of academic learning," says Sean Reid.
This exercise has taught me a few things. Firstly, this debate is on going, and probably always will be- which in itself is a good thing, a mechanism for continual refreshment and invigoration of our profession. Secondly, perhaps it has caused me to reevaluate my opinions based on new ideas and perspectives, which is exactly what I set out to do. I now feel confident that there is some social end to education, inextricably, based in the fact that if we desire that education can even be possible in the future we need to ensure that society in some or whatever form self- perpetuates. For me though, this is always a secondary aim; the purpose of life serves nothing other than life itself. Consider this analogy, which I feel is exactly apt: a student should serve the endeavor to attain good grades exactly as education should serve society. A student should reap in the "sweetness and light of academic learning" in manners that are ends in themselves.
After reading your blog, Luke, I have realized I really need to step up my vocabulary. With that being said and having sat next to you on the first day of class and listened to you discuss this topic it did not surprise me that you chose to research this topis. I believe that culture and education go directly hand in hand. These two blogs you found seem very interesting to read if I ever need to brush up on culture and education.
ReplyDeleteLuke, when I read your latest blog, I sense a person who is searching for the next road to go down, a pathway to take. I agree, there are many things which have only one purpose, to enrich and shape a life, and that is an end to itself. I also view my education as being a life long process to provide me with some building blocks which provide me a foundation by which directed self study provides the mortar to build up the structure of my life experience and learning, the direction and architecture of life experience and yes, even the overall architecture of how I if I do fit into the grand plan of the society. Those building blocks however if not properly learned cause the structure to fail. The purpose (process) if you will that your refer to cannot be undertaken capriciously or experimented with, if you desire a "successful" outcome.
ReplyDeleteAs I know that you have 3 bachelor’s degrees I know that you have a passion for education. Your post her shows that again. I also agree with you that this expansion of the mind is such an amazing experience. It is not necessarily the content of the knowledge but the trip to get it. The ability to hear other ideas and in so doing help us to formulate ours is a fun experience. Your passion to learn will serve you well as such passion inspires passion in your students. Your continued search for knowledge will have an exponential effect on the many students you will teach. As I like to say MATH IS AWESOME! Keep up the passion.
ReplyDelete