Purpose of Education
I believe the purpose of education is to help students learn to think critically. Thinking critically is necessary in any vocational or career field students may pursue. Thinking critically includes analyzing an issue, problem or situation both thoroughly and thoughtfully. I believe that students should and can learn critical thinking skills and that these skills will help them throughout the rest of their lives solving everyday real world problems. I believe another important aspect of education is being able to apply gained knowledge into one’s personal life. For example, in a history class, students learn about the Civil War. I believe students should understand the implication the Civil War has in their lives. What will knowing about the Civil War do for me? What can I do because I have this knowledge? I believe education is more than memorizing facts.
Curriculum
Curriculum should extend beyond the basic facts. I believe students should be challenged. Memorizing the rhyme “in fourteen hundred ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue” is not good enough. Students should learn why Columbus sailed the ocean blue, what the effects of his voyage were at the time and also the effects of his voyage that we feel today. I believe that curriculum needs to be relevant to today’s world. Again, what did Columbus’s voyage to for me and what can I do because I know this information? I believe students’ thinking and reasoning should be expanded beyond the basics.
Instructional Strategies
I believe classroom instruction should be interactive; a transaction between teacher and student. The teacher should be a guide in the discussion but the students should be the primary participants. I believe students learn better from their peers than they do from an instructor. Curriculum material should be taught in a way that students will learn practical applications. Back to the question, what can I do because I know this information? One of the most important things a student can learn is how to apply the material and connect to it. Why and how does this math problem affect me? What can I learn from this that will be beneficial to my life?
Assessment
I believe that students should receive feedback, if not immediately then as soon as possible. I believe this to be the best way to improve: build upon achievements and errors of previous work. I feel that short frequent quizzes are effective. Short quizzes can measure progress and content comprehension and give immediate feedback; they are non-intimidating and have a smaller impact on students’ grades. I believe students not only learn best but their understanding and knowledge is best manifested by non-test forms of assessment. A student’s progress and learning can be measured by a variety of projects such as written reports, oral presentations and other projects involving creativity and the arts. I believe students will learn more effectively and retain that knowledge when such projects are the end result and not a fifty question exam.
