Photosynthesis, vocabulary, grammar, timetables, permutations etc are stock of knowledge. Learning to apply these bring learning to live.
-But what exactly makes up education?-
I had been giving talks and trainings recently. I asked pointedly if someone remembers what she/he learns in P4 Science, 2nd year of psychology degree etc. To date, no one could remember without having to refer to any notes (if they still have). I was a good student and my greatest memory from primary school was catching spiders during recess, intensive dance training in secondary school, learning to accept different viewpoints in junior college and defining who I am at university.
An education goes beyond memorising, regurgitation and learning how to score. Especially in this digitised era, where the lifecycle of knowledge is shortening. Sooner or later, we have to accept that printing textbooks may take too long and get used to the notion that within a school year, we may have to update installation of the stock of learning materials and outcomes.
-What now defines the concept of going to school then?-
Actually, the definition should always be what it is about, making social connections and developing our social emotional intelligences, creating and making memories, hence building a sense of self.
Somehow we have forgotten that in our part of our world, as education becomes singularly focused on what we learn, one correct answer to one explicit question, scoring A and pegging the self-worth of a child to her grades.
It's really high time we move away from this system that believes it can tell us who our child is based on her grades. Education has to revert to its broader definition and true purpose. Curriculum pace should consider a slow down in absolute outcomes taught, but allow the child chance to express and experience it.
For example, instead of showing an experiment through youtube, resources (time and material) should be given to the child to construct the experiment herself for direct experience. It may or may succeed at one try, but it's through self-experience that the lesson is learnt at a deeper level of understanding. Instead of memorising a long and difficult list of spelling in a bid to raise vocabulary, opportunity should be given for the child to present, perform role play or even as simple as reading a passage out in class.
Teachers should be given explicit 'KPI' to include these as part of a child's success. These provide teachers and parents with more inputs and insight to the person the child is blossoming into.
-Industrial Revolution 4.0 or Society 5.0-
There are many functions in our lives that are getting automated. So is the host and delivery of stock of knowledge. The redefinition of school is now more critical than ever. The focus on experience is what shapes our child to be an individual ready to face the uncertainty of his/her future.
We have not intended to have a child and raise him/her to be a scorer. At the deepest level, each one of us parents just want to raise a competent and contributing young adult who is..... fulfilled and happy.
Let's not forget this.
#TrinityKidsMalaysia #RaisingExtraordinaryKids #RightFromTheStart#RightFromTheMind #ChangeTheWayWeLearn#ChangeTheWorldThroughEducation