Seth Godin says:
Perhaps we could endeavor to teach our future the following:
- How to focus intently on a problem until it’s solved.
- The benefit of postponing short-term satisfaction in exchange for long-term success.
- How to read critically.
- The power of being able to lead groups of peers without receiving clear delegated authority.
- An understanding of the extraordinary power of the scientific method, in just about any situation or endeavor.
- How to persuasively present ideas in multiple forms, especially in writing and before a group.
- Project management. Self-management and the management of ideas, projects and people.
- Personal finance. Understanding the truth about money and debt and leverage.
- An insatiable desire (and the ability) to learn more. Forever.
- Most of all, the self-reliance that comes from understanding that relentless hard work can be applied to solve problems worth solving.
Personally, I think Seth Godin is right on the money with this post. Note that really none of these can be very easily assessed using a standardized exam, except possibly the understanding of finance, and that might be better demonstrated by running a business.
I’m going to add a couple of my own ideas to his list.
- Develop an appreciation for nature.
- Learn what a healthy and balanced life style looks like.
- Learn about different perspectives, points of view, and the power of words to convey meaning of those perspectives.
@reteach10 says:
Whilst I am an RE teacher – I never impose a faith position on the students I teach. It is very much a process of developing student’s critical reasoning and awareness of how a worldview, which may or may not be empirically verifiable, can impact on an individual’s life. (At this point i should say that a worldview is a faith or scientific method or a political ideology or a lifestyle choice or ethical stance etc. It’s not just religion) I do feel that it is the role of the re educator to introduce students to these concepts and require the students to critically think about the world around them, their place within it and their existential nature.
Please don’t get me wrong – I am very anti ‘and how does it make you feel’ style re in favour of ‘if our world view is this how does this impact on how we construct what is right or wrong?’
The original post and the follow up comment both put emphasis on the scientific method and an engagement with the empirical world. I would suggest that schools also should offer:
* to learn how to critically engage with worldviews and their impact on others and society
* to learn how to critically think about who they are and their place, role and purpose.
May 7, 2011 — 3:33 am