From Growth to Reduction, a Shift in the Purpose of Education
In his 2010 “Changing Education Paradigms” TED Talk, Ken Robinson challenges the current education system and points out that there needs to be a change sooner rather than later. While discussing the current popular view on academia, Robinson (2010) says, “There are really two types of people, academic and non-academic. Smart people and non-smart people. The consequence of this thinking is many brilliant people think they’re not because they’re being judged against this particular view of the mind.” Originally, a main goal of education was that all students would grow to be informed citizens with the ability to develop their own opinions as to participate in a democracy. To better the people and generations to come. However, due to the current, highly competitive system of over-testing, standardization, and putting too much focus on grades, this goal is quite honestly not being met. Yes, students are getting through education, but at what cost (economically, mentally, and physically)? Are students actually being engaged, retaining information, or thinking critically?
It is important for students do the thinking instead of teachers just telling students what to think or what to memorize for a test. Unfortunately, as students go through the education system, they generally lose a lot of their natural curiosity and imagination. They stop thinking outside of the box because they are under the impression that there is only one answer to a problem (and that answer is usually at the back of the textbook, as Robinson points out).
“Students arrive (to Stanford) as good test-takers, but they can’t solve complex problems, think critically, communicate, problem solve or be creative. There has been very little transfer of learning to other areas, and no emphasis on cultivating a love of learning.” — Denise Pope
John Dewey pointed out the importance of growth through the process of education, describing it as a “fostering, a nurturing, a cultivating process” (1938). Dewey saw the purpose of education was “to ensure the continuance of education by organizing the powers that ensure growth.” (1938) Whether we like it or not, there has been a shift away from growth to reduction. By this, I mean that the common idea in education today that “I have to be good at everything to be anything” destroys students mentally by causing unnecessary stress starting at a very young age and reducing feelings of self and worth. (It also does not exactly promote a life of wanting to learn and grow once outside the classroom.)
The illustration above taken from the video is so relevant because it shows that college (or GPA for that matter) does not equal success, nor does it guarantee a great job. As a Clemson student, I thought about how much it bothered me that no matter how I tried, I just did not understand chemistry. But for that not to get in the way of what I actually think is important about myself, I must realize 1. I am still smart and 2. A grade in one chemistry class does not define me as a person. It does not show how artistic, insightful, or detail oriented I am and it certainly does not mean I cannot excel in other areas.
The reality is that it used to be both an honor and privilege to go to school and have the opportunity for higher education, but now it’s a frustration for many students due to testing, pressures, and structure. Access to public education is a beautiful thing that is sadly often seen as a requirement and loss of not only freedom but creativity instead of a way to grow. In order for the public education system to live up to its great potential, we must find a way to effectively shift back to the original idea of growth.
Dewey, J. (1938). Education and experience.
Robinson, K. (2010, October). Ken Robinson: Changing education paradigms [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms
Schwartz, K. (2013). “How Can Students Be Successful in a High Stakes World?” MindShift. http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/11/12/how-can-students-be-successful-in-a-high-stakes-world/.
