I think I have just about written off any chance of children in the not-too-distant future getting a good education.
I have never been one for private schools. Not having been personally I found some of their strategies for teaching to be less “real world” than a good public school. To me, it really came down to the kid and the level of the parent’s involvement.
With that said, I think private schools may become the only real option for kids to excel in the future. Not because of the quality of teachers, dress codes, or morning affirmations. No, I think private schools will win because of lack of phones and ipods.
I have always been aware kids take ipods and phones to school. Sure, one is for “safety” and the other, well, that is in case you get bored (you decide which is which).
Anyway, the teachers in the beginning confiscated items left and right. If an iPod or phone was in view, it was taken away, disappearing into a drawer that used to be filled with firecrackers and back issues of Playboy.
Well, teachers have given up.
Kids today (did I just say that?) routinely text each other throughout the day during class time. Heck, who isn’t bored in class? You know your friends are just a few rooms away with their phones –waiting to text the latest gossip.
Kids can listen to music (usually with only one ear bud so they can appear to be also listening to the lesson) because, god forbid, anyone question Johnnie’s inability to learn without Metallica playing in the background. Political correctness strikes again.
With attention spans now diverting away from the teachers our kids will learn less and less. What I call “accidental knowledge” will be lost forever. You know what I mean. When you were stuck listening to a teacher you didn’t want to, you at least still learned something (whether you wanted to or not) because you weren’t allowed to do anything else.
Ta da…Accidental Knowledge. Stuff just got stuck in your brain because you overheard it.
I think some of the great inventors and societal contributors started out solving the world’s problems simply because they were stuck in a class that made them listen to the teacher – only to accidentally discover the learned something of value.
At least with a private school they will smack you around a bit if you get caught not listening. Then again, maybe it is just a matter of time before they also join the ranks of the uneducated. At least then I know it won’t be by accident.
Fine, I suppose this is where you look for some witty insights to my mind. A "bio" of sorts. Here is the deal... I ride motorcycles, smoke cigars, golf, kayak, fly, race my car through the mountains, write (a lot), and travel extensively. I am almost old enough not to care what other people think about me...almost. ~Godfadr
im fresh out of high school so this whole thing basically describes everyone in my school. but i noticed the only way to get the students attention away from their electronics is to actually get them really involved into learning. like standing up and doing skits or going out side and reading . it takes a really good teacher to think of ways to get the attention of the students back on to the lesson . plus students don’t even realise whats happening. they think they just have a super cool teacher and then boom they actually fucking learned something .