What’s the Purpose of Education?

Following along similar lines of a previous post regarding the purpose of education, it looks like there is a movement building around the idea that the ‘basics’ are just not good enough in todays world. If it is true that the original purpose of education is to ‘school’ the poor in the ‘basics,’ teach discipline and reduce crime – making a the kind of a shift being suggested by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills is very significant. Incorporating 21st-century skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, communication and self-direction, as well as computer and technology skills into the curriculum will change education significantly.

As I’ve suggested in previous posts, the ‘curriculum’ is not as important as the ‘method’ employed. We must use the knowledge we have gained about how people learn, use our understanding of the brain as a complex organism and employ the tenants of experiential/project based learning if we have a chance of turning the ‘schooling’ system into an ‘education’ system.

Here’s the article referred to above:

Voters urge teaching of 21st-century skills
Poll suggests ‘back-to-basics’ approach to education is not enough for nation’s citizens
By Meris Stansbury, Assistant Editor, eSchool News
Results of a new poll commissioned by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills shows the vast majority of U.S. voters believe students are ill-equipped to compete in the global learning environment, and that schools must incorporate 21st-century skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, communication and self-direction, and computer and technology skills into the curriculum. But the upcoming presidential election, researchers say, presents a perfect opportunity to charter a new path to success for America’s students.

Project Based Learning