The Purpose of Schooling

[The Man in Black]

Originally Posted by Isard

Highschools more about the social aspect than the actual learning. I slept through most of Highschool and still graduated top third.

Originally Posted by Советский медве

I have to agree with Isard, I could sit through all my classes with out retaining one bit of information and at the end of the year still be smarter than 90% of the other students.

Same, I didn't try at all and graduated top 5%. While I agree that school's ultimate purpose doesn't involve making friends, it's certainly a necessary side effect. Ultimately, the idea behind education is to prepare the children of the world for the real world/adulthood. Frankly, this isn't happening. Societal advancement should start at the foundation: children shouldn't be left behind, and people with intelligence are settling for less than their full potential. This starts with the teachers: nothing is more important than having a mentor as a child. It starts from the old saying "it takes a village to raise a child."

[Woodsprite]

Originally Posted by Isard

Highschools more about the social aspect than the actual learning. I slept through most of Highschool and still graduated top third.

Originally Posted by Советский медве

I have to agree with Isard, I could sit through all my classes with out retaining one bit of information and at the end of the year still be smarter than 90% of the other students.

Originally Posted by The Man in Black

Same, I didn't try at all and graduated top 5%.

This is exactly what I'm talking about.^ It shouldn't be about "getting the grade" or "graduating with high honors". It should be about the principle of learning. Highschools have become more about the "social aspect" because not a damn idiot in the system cares one speck anymore.

They're comparable to penal colonies now. It's sad.

[Empty Glass]

Originally Posted by Mune

...

Sorry if I made you rant, but thanks for sharing all that! I agree with what you and Zenit said on how it's not true when one's told that leaving school will result in a terrible life. You can make something of yourself either way. And the way some schools operate and treat students today, I'm not surprised when I hear of students wanting to leave. Ideally IMO, schools ought to give students every possible opportunity they have to succeed; many today are almost like dead-ends in life.

Originally Posted by Aquaplant

...

I've seen that video before, and it's great. Lot of great ideas in there.

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

It shouldn't be about "getting the grade" or "graduating with high honors". It should be about the principle of learning.

Agreed. School should not be about learning how to game the system to get the highest qualifications. Genuine learning and engagement are important. (And thinking about that brings me back to Mune's chemistry teacher.) What you said, Woodsprite, makes me think of what I read in a book called "Doing School," how you can be one of the most honored students in a school without having truly learned anything in depth. Maybe I'm taking your post out of context but I feel the need to mention it.


I could write more but I've got to head out for a bit...

[Fosus]

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

It shouldn't be about "getting the grade" or "graduating with high honors". It should be about the principle of learning.

I like this way of thinking, but nowadays it's all about the grades, because that's what the employee wants to see. Sad but true.

To me, social contact is very important part of the whole "wake up at six and sit still for hours and hours end" cycle school basically is. I wouldn't do it if there were no friends to do it with. To be honest, unless I happen to be specifically interested in the particular subject, the social contact is my only motivation.