This video is Seth Godin discussing the question, "What is school for?" He describes his observations of current school practices and his reflections about school traditions. Then he shares his thoughts of what school is for. This video sparks discussion with me. I feel strongly that although education is moving in the right direction, it is taking a lot of traditions with it.
School was built on the premise that society needed to function and behave in a way that served a purpose for the industrial era. At that point in history our society was interested in using resources in producing and selling. During this period of time, there was not an interest in creativity or innovation beyond the industrial setting. Instead, it was an interest in stifling creativity and promoting compliance to industry. They sought to create the best workers not deep thinkers. It lacked the devices to promote creative thinking in a working environment. There was an idea that in order to become successful, you had to follow the path to reach the "American Dream" which meant conforming to becoming a respectful hard-working producer. Today, we have evolved to a society who seeks to preserve resources and move away from large industry. We see value in creativity and art. We have shifted from a compliant society. We are no longer a society who needs workers who strive to conform. As a matter of fact, much of those values once believed to achieve success or the "American Dream" have changed. Oh boy, they have changed. Today's students aren't buying into that idea of doing well in school and conforming to be like everyone else. They don't believe that is what determines success. They seek freedom. Freedom to think, to question, to be as they want to be. They see success in innovators such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. They don't believe in the current system. They know it is broken. They know it is disconnected from their reality. We educators and the leaders in education must open our eyes and see that the system needs to be rebuilt. And for those who believe we have rebuilt it, and say we are now working towards to creating a new system which produces college-ready students, I ask, what do you say to the student who reminds you of all the current leaders in technology who dropped out of college and are leading beyond any expectations set forth to them in that system?
Reference:
Stop Stealing Dreams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXpbONjV1Jc&list=PLbRLdW37G3oMquOaC-HeUIt6CWk-FzaGp&index=7
School was built on the premise that society needed to function and behave in a way that served a purpose for the industrial era. At that point in history our society was interested in using resources in producing and selling. During this period of time, there was not an interest in creativity or innovation beyond the industrial setting. Instead, it was an interest in stifling creativity and promoting compliance to industry. They sought to create the best workers not deep thinkers. It lacked the devices to promote creative thinking in a working environment. There was an idea that in order to become successful, you had to follow the path to reach the "American Dream" which meant conforming to becoming a respectful hard-working producer. Today, we have evolved to a society who seeks to preserve resources and move away from large industry. We see value in creativity and art. We have shifted from a compliant society. We are no longer a society who needs workers who strive to conform. As a matter of fact, much of those values once believed to achieve success or the "American Dream" have changed. Oh boy, they have changed. Today's students aren't buying into that idea of doing well in school and conforming to be like everyone else. They don't believe that is what determines success. They seek freedom. Freedom to think, to question, to be as they want to be. They see success in innovators such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. They don't believe in the current system. They know it is broken. They know it is disconnected from their reality. We educators and the leaders in education must open our eyes and see that the system needs to be rebuilt. And for those who believe we have rebuilt it, and say we are now working towards to creating a new system which produces college-ready students, I ask, what do you say to the student who reminds you of all the current leaders in technology who dropped out of college and are leading beyond any expectations set forth to them in that system?
Reference:
Stop Stealing Dreams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXpbONjV1Jc&list=PLbRLdW37G3oMquOaC-HeUIt6CWk-FzaGp&index=7