A Student

That captures 'education' so well. I downloaded "Excellent Sheep" some time ago (after one of your previous recommendations/links I think) and it makes quite a read. Have you ever come across "Deschooling Society" by Ivan Illich, one of my hero-mentors' from yesteryear, especially after reading his "Tools for Conviviality" when (as an engineer) I was trying to get my head around technology and why I was involved in the sharp end of it.

Hi Josh
Thanks for your note ... I've heard of Deschooling Society but I haven't read it, it's on the to read list.  There's something very wrong with western education ... particularly in Britain where higher education degrees are now regarded as commodities, and research is a process of manufacturing knowledge rather than discovering truth.

"and research is a process of manufacturing knowledge rather than discovering truth."
... very well put.

thanks ... I should put it in a haiku/senryu or such ...

Very interesting, and in the case of those who cannot think for themselves, this rings especially true.  I like how this one displays on my screen, very neat and...shapely heh. I felt this way until I was in my senior year of college and met some professors who were a little nontraditional, but very passionate... who were willing to challenge the standard curriculum. I suppose it's a little different than the normal experience when you're taking multiple special topics courses in subjects you already have an interest in. Not to mention, I majored in a science field, where critical/deductive reasoning was required often... so if I learned anything, it was to question everything and learn to school myself...don't believe everything you see - an evidence based reality.

thanks for your comments.

I'd recommend the two books whose titles are embedded in the poem as well as the Pedagogy of the Oppressed.

What science was your major?

You're most welcome. It was Biology, and I mainly gravitated towards the natural sciences. I love nature... it was a good outlet for someone like me to disconnect from society. I am largely an introvert/hermit. Honestly, I do feel like college helped my ability to think critically, though.

It is a general 'rule' amongst scientists (at least ones who think critically!) to question everything. That is the essence of the scientific method - establishing beliefs based on real, observable data and deductive reasoning rather than by what we are taught. In physics, if you know all the right data (air speed, velocity, gravitational force, etc) you can predict where a ball lands. You don't just believe it will land there because someone tells you. You prove it. It taught me to be curious, and think outside the box... to not follow the 'herd'. At least... that's what it did for me.

Interesting ... thanks for getting back to me.

AB

Of course :)

I am familiar with all of the books mentioned, but have read none of them. I promise to give it a go at some point when I find time. My fiancee actually took a philosophies of teaching course and 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed' was one of their required readings. She quite enjoyed that course, and I do remember talking to her about the book in depth, as they had to discuss it in their class. She was an English major, if that matters.

I found Pedagogy of the Oppressed a difficult read but worth it.  It is some thing I keep re-reading.  The others are 'easier' but both worth reading.

I believe that! I'm not going to lie and say some of that stuff isn't a bit over my head, but I do try my best. I mentioned the book to my fiancee again and she also recommended Teaching to Transgress by Bell Hook - of which the main teaching is education as a practice of liberation rather than oppression. I am glad that teachers are learning this kind of stuff, at least. I am very intrigued, and will certainly investigate further :)