There are so many things in the world that can be improved: from small issues such as my empty fridge to major issues such as Donald Trump being president (but I am not going to talk any more about him today since I have been hearing his name more than I want to for the last few months). My point is, there are so many problems in the world and I think that most of them can be fixed through education. Proper and well rounded education prevents ignorance, ignorance prevents hate/greed/a lot of other bad stuff, and that will prevent a lot of issues we face in the world today from happening in the first place. If education taught everyone how to love and accept others, there arguably will not be war, hate crime, discrimination... you name it. Additionally, fair and equal education will also help prevent poverty and increase general knowledge. So it seems like education plays a key role in making the world a better place. But where would I start? Ideally all over the world, but lets start small and somewhere more probable: America.
We would start by having:
1) Better teachers
Not a lot of people want to be teachers since its a job often looked down upon, and many teachers are not respected. As a result, you often get some teachers who do not really care or put in the effort to teach students to the best of their abilities, or have under-qualified teachers. To battle this, we should look to Finland's educational system where their teachers are highly trained, well paid, and respected (article for your reference: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jun/17/highly-trained-respected-and-free-why-finlands-teachers-are-different)
2) More funding/resources
Maybe instead of funneling all the money into military and prisons, America should give more money to schools, especially those in the inner cities.
3) Different tracks of education for people with different interests
People always focus on the 'smart ones'. By that, I mean those who are math geniuses, wants to be a doctor, is a great writer etc. But what happens to those who aren't? Most are just kind of pushed to the side, deemed stupid/useless, and forgotten about. That should not be the case. In Holland, students have an option of HAVO, VWO, and MBO (article for your reference:http://www.expatica.com/nl/education/Education-in-the-Netherlands_100816.html). By having 3 different tracks to take, no students are left behind and everyone can find something they enjoy and are suited for them. Not everyone is meant to be doctors, some want to be a hairdresser and that is perfectly fine.
Wow, love your post. I think you are completely right. Everything narrows down to education. I think your idea of starting here in America is great. We could potentially set an example for the rest of the world. And obviously we could learn from others as well such as Finland and Holland (we too have a lot to learn from). I think your in the right path and don't know how much advice I can give you. I think it is great how you point out that focusing on training our teachers/professors would improve the education system greatly, that more funds should be directed to schools, and that all students should have the same opportunities. In concerns to teachers I think that besides better training, hire wages and benefits should be implemented. Our country spends so much in nuclear weapons, military, and so on that is ridiculous so more of these funds should go towards the biggest and best weapon of all education. Finally, we are all completely different and learn in different ways, so instead of focusing on just the "geniuses" we should help those that have more difficulties to guide them to a better and positive path that will ensure that they too have a better and fulfilling future, that will help contribute in making this a better world.
ReplyDeleteI had very similar ideas for our education system in my post.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to be a teacher through high school when I realized that they don't make very much money, especially those who choose to teach younger children. I think our education system in wrong because we put so much effort onto passing classes instead of teaching kids to be excited about learning. I think that money is the main problem because we are not able to pay well educated people enough to turn down positions in large companies. We need to completely reform the way we thing about funding because we should be investing in our future leaders. I think that teachers should also be given incentives, like a higher wage, to work in inner city or low income neighborhoods.
But I think its important to get kids to want to learn instead of forcing them into strict standardized testings. So I also agree with having different schools that help prepare those who know what they want to be so they are able to develop advanced skills while others thrive at their own pace. Education is not a one size fits all and we need to start realizing that.
I was about to say...you are Carely both took the domestic approach!
ReplyDeleteThe stigmatization and degradation of teachers is something that happens all over the world too. I did a project on teaching in SSA and the same things happen. Potentially teachers can get takes breaks or something to increase the value of them to people in a society that values money over merit/impact?
I love how you pulled in information about Finland. My mom and I were taking about how the Nordic countries' education system is something everyone should follow. In addition to high pay and appreciation, the Finish education system reflect more so of what you were talking about in the NL (see link below). The new system takes away our traditional subjects and has students working on real-life problem solving that blends disciplines. How cool!?
As someone who fails standardized tests, our current education system and "validation" of one's future is absurd. Not everyone is good at math. Not everyone wants to be a lawyer or a doctor. AND that's ok!
(http://www.universityherald.com/articles/50452/20161119/finland-education-reform-phenomenon-based-teaching.htm