Sunday, November 06, 2005
Holiday? Education?
Yes indeed, we have all come to the end of school term, and hence it is time to enjoy our holiday. Isn't it wonderful, the idea of giving students breaks, away from school for a varying period of time that is scattered throughout the year. How nice, giving time for students to have fun, go on vacation and pursue their own interest.
What a novel idea, except that this isn't quite true.
The school has definitely planned well. It is hidden in their mission statement that students should not be able to idle. Otherwise, they will start thinking about how miserable their life is, and start having suicidal thoughts. It is hence better to make them so occupied that they are unable to hatch such thoughts. Education is benefiting the future in this manner, no doubt.
What is the true purpose of education?
we need to take a look at the definitions of educate.
Qict, a software which I wrote that search the massive online database of www.dictionary.com, has this to say:
1. To develop the innate capacities of, especially by schooling or instruction. See Synonyms at teach.
2. To provide with knowledge or training in a particular area or for a particular purpose: decided to educate herself in foreign languages; entered a seminary to be educated for the priesthood.
3.
1. To provide with information; inform: a campaign that educated the public about the dangers of smoking.
2. To bring to an understanding or acceptance: hoped to educate the voters to the need for increased spending on public schools.
4. To stimulate or develop the mental or moral growth of.
5. To develop or refine (one's taste or appreciation, for example).
Yes, (1) education as it is today develops various capabilities in us, the ability to spell, the ability to count, etc. (2) It provides us knowledge in various fields, subjects like chemistry, bio and physics allow us to become a great Bio-chem-physicist when we grow up, yet the feasibility of such a career is in doubt. However, such education is good in helping the student decide what subject to detest so that he or she won't end up choosing the wrong job next time. (3) Yes, certainly it provides us information. But it also expects us, most of the time, to be able to remember definitions word by word. Although this is crucial to our understanding, many students who did not attempt to understand anything except to memorise those words will score better than those who understand but did not memorise. Such is the flaw in today's educational system. This is not particularly true in any country. This is particular true in almost every country. Points (4) and (5) are out of this context, but point (5) should not be regarded lightly. "To develop or refine (one's taste or appreciation, for example)." Does this mean that to be educated in something is to be able to appreciate the information given? If I did not interpret it wrongly, this simply means that in other to be educated about something, you must be able to appreciate it first. This is particularly true for me. In all these years, I'm pretty at ease with subjects like computing and physics, simply because I'm able to understand the beauty of it. To me and many intellects out there, appreciation is an important step. However, there are many others who skipped this step totally and attempt to do well in every subjects, by hook or by crook. I'm a free thinker, but let us now believe in the existence of god for a moment. If god really exists, why did god make some people good at physical activities, while others are good thinkers. Why are some good at literature, while others at chemistry. Nobody is the same. Yet current educational systems out there attempts to educate you on anything, whether you like it or not. Such is the flaw of the system today.
What good would it be, to just memories everything, whether you appreciate it or not?
Isn't it better if you allow a computer, capable of more storage then a human brain, and far higher precision and accuracy in reproducing whatever data that it had learnt to replace you?
If the education in general does not change, we are only training our young into computer harddisks.
muahahahaha...
spell check by Si Hui =p
What a novel idea, except that this isn't quite true.
The school has definitely planned well. It is hidden in their mission statement that students should not be able to idle. Otherwise, they will start thinking about how miserable their life is, and start having suicidal thoughts. It is hence better to make them so occupied that they are unable to hatch such thoughts. Education is benefiting the future in this manner, no doubt.
What is the true purpose of education?
we need to take a look at the definitions of educate.
Qict, a software which I wrote that search the massive online database of www.dictionary.com, has this to say:
1. To develop the innate capacities of, especially by schooling or instruction. See Synonyms at teach.
2. To provide with knowledge or training in a particular area or for a particular purpose: decided to educate herself in foreign languages; entered a seminary to be educated for the priesthood.
3.
1. To provide with information; inform: a campaign that educated the public about the dangers of smoking.
2. To bring to an understanding or acceptance: hoped to educate the voters to the need for increased spending on public schools.
4. To stimulate or develop the mental or moral growth of.
5. To develop or refine (one's taste or appreciation, for example).
Yes, (1) education as it is today develops various capabilities in us, the ability to spell, the ability to count, etc. (2) It provides us knowledge in various fields, subjects like chemistry, bio and physics allow us to become a great Bio-chem-physicist when we grow up, yet the feasibility of such a career is in doubt. However, such education is good in helping the student decide what subject to detest so that he or she won't end up choosing the wrong job next time. (3) Yes, certainly it provides us information. But it also expects us, most of the time, to be able to remember definitions word by word. Although this is crucial to our understanding, many students who did not attempt to understand anything except to memorise those words will score better than those who understand but did not memorise. Such is the flaw in today's educational system. This is not particularly true in any country. This is particular true in almost every country. Points (4) and (5) are out of this context, but point (5) should not be regarded lightly. "To develop or refine (one's taste or appreciation, for example)." Does this mean that to be educated in something is to be able to appreciate the information given? If I did not interpret it wrongly, this simply means that in other to be educated about something, you must be able to appreciate it first. This is particularly true for me. In all these years, I'm pretty at ease with subjects like computing and physics, simply because I'm able to understand the beauty of it. To me and many intellects out there, appreciation is an important step. However, there are many others who skipped this step totally and attempt to do well in every subjects, by hook or by crook. I'm a free thinker, but let us now believe in the existence of god for a moment. If god really exists, why did god make some people good at physical activities, while others are good thinkers. Why are some good at literature, while others at chemistry. Nobody is the same. Yet current educational systems out there attempts to educate you on anything, whether you like it or not. Such is the flaw of the system today.
What good would it be, to just memories everything, whether you appreciate it or not?
Isn't it better if you allow a computer, capable of more storage then a human brain, and far higher precision and accuracy in reproducing whatever data that it had learnt to replace you?
If the education in general does not change, we are only training our young into computer harddisks.
muahahahaha...
spell check by Si Hui =p
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