The Game of School

The student-teacher relationship is the foundation of our educational system. And yet, it’s fraught with tension, deception, politics and distrust.

Sure, in Kindergarten you may have played with blocks and finger paints. But from first grade onward the game changes.

Students are trying to predict pop quizzes. Teachers are strong arming depth to cover all the material.

They become adversaries in a semester-long game to land on a number. A number that is supposed to indicate a degree of understanding. But, in fact, actually just shows a level of aptitude for the gameplay.

Each semester the first day of class begins with a syllabus. 
An addendum of rules to the ones already in place. Further defining the game any given teacher wants to play.

What if we started the relationship off on a different foot? The first class wasn’t about the game but the students. What do they want to learn? What are they interested in learning? What are their strengths? Weaknesses?

Game playing is valuable — to a point.

I’m not sure it’s valuable as the starter, main course and dessert of the educational meal.