I like this quote from H.G. Wells. Education is that function of society which is nurtured in order to perpetuate the dominant culture. As pressures from inevitable change mount, causing society to face imminent catastrophe, education is typically forced to research a solution that leads to a paradigm shift warding off the catastrophe. » More: Journal 5: “History is a race between education and catastrophe”
In his 1899 book, The Idea of a University, John Henry Newman warns of the dangers of superficial learning and, reciprocally, argues for the need for learning substantively.
“A man may hear a thousand lectures, and read a thousand volumes, and be at the end of the process very much where he was, as regards knowledge. Something more than merely admitting it in a negative way into the mind is necessary if it is to remain there. It must not be passively received, but actually and actively entered into, embraced, mastered. The mind must go half-way to meet what comes to it from without.”
Like Sir Ken Robinson alluded to in his speech on Ted.com, education often strip-mines the mind rather than furnish it.
Society is people living in community. In a sense, society is a living, dynamic, and highly interconnected organism. Technology is what people develop in order to improve their community experience (i.e. the wheel, oil lamps, ink wells, steam engines, PDAs, etc.). Such technological developments may be proactive or reactive but either way, they come to exist for the purpose of » More: Technology has no ‘Place’ in Education…
Clearly research supports the conclusion that computer games enhance student engagement. The question remains however whether standards-based learning actually takes place. The outcry for more research is loud and clear: Where is the evidence that curriculum standards are met “more efficiently” using computers versus traditional teaching methods? Note the operative word is “efficiently.” » More: Games in School are Nothing to Toy with…
While studying environmental sociology during my undergrad coursework, I picked up on a somewhat hidden and almost insidious practice among humankind with regard to environmental policy. Once uncovered, I realized what is needed is not more “policies” per se but rather, complete lifestyle changes based on a new worldview.
Even today, conservation efforts are used by politicians and developers in order to “justify” the wasteful horrors we face daily; not eliminate them. Because we create and set aside protected areas, we seem to feel better about the NONprotected ones; as a bribe of our conscience. » More: Black is the new White…
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