Education is championed to be the solution of many prevailing problems society is facing today. An overarching view of education can be seen as a way in which people gain knowledge, information and understanding, and learn new skills. One can safely say that the breadth and depth of what can be learned cannot be finished in a lifetime and thus it often forces educators to sieve out and choose areas that are deemed useful in society today. Yet, it must also be recognized that usefulness, as defined by society, is subjected to constant change, due to ever-evolving contexts and perspectives. Hence education cannot be allowed to only be concerned with what is deemed useful in life; there is a need to go beyond practicality.
Education, when solely concerned with what is deemed useful in life, runs the risk of being too narrow. This is because what is deemed useful will differ with various groups of people. Given the example of “Each One Teach One” approach to literacy. Each individual who already can read is to teach another illiterate person to read the materials prepared by an educational leader. This was one of the prominent ways of spreading learning in the past in countries like China, India and the Philippines. Set in the familiar context of the city, if people are only educated with what is being perceived as useful in society, it is likely that they would grow up with a tunnel vision; a narrow minded perception of reality. Being set in only focusing on what is regarded as useful may also cause a stunt in creativity and precipitate the effect of being predictable. Considering the value of holding multiple perspectives, being educated in only what is deemed as useful might not be an insightful decision.
The Term Paper on Project Report on Education Society
... I : BRIEF DETAILS OF COLLABORATING PARTNERS. A. Gurukul Education Society In the following pages brief details of collaborating parteners ... -known Industrialists, Businessmen, Professionals and Educationists. The people associated with the Society are engaged in rendering social services in ... There is One Central Universities, and a number of Deemed Universities. 3. 3 Status at Entry Level Gurukul ...
In the same vein, though proponents may advocate that education should only be confined to what would be beneficial for both the individual and society at large, it is also argued that this learning may be superficial. Such an education program typically means a teaching steered to one that would reap much economic benefits in the shortest possible time. This can be seen especially in formal education programs like public school systems. Education systems in South Korea and Singapore have been commended on their success at comparatively high results and its major role in contributing to economic development.
However, education systems like these are also often criticized for hindering learning. As Mark Twain once said, “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” There have been ongoing concerns that overloading students with work and exam preparations could threaten the students’ health and emotions. Organisation for Economic and Development (OECD) ranked South Korean elementary, middle, and high school students the lowest in terms of happiness compared to other OECD countries. Even in Singapore, critics of the education system state that the education system in Singapore is too specialized, rigid, and elitist. Hence, when the education system is created in a way where it becomes mainly focus on what is deemed practical in today’s society, learning may become somewhat shallow.
It must also be recognized that learning need not be confined to a single educational platform. The way one can be educated comes in various forms – formal, informal and non-formal or quasi formal. As one learns to broaden how he or she is being educated, regardless of its seeming relevance, the door of options and opportunities will naturally be widened as well. To a farmer’s son, what seems to be useful in his life is learning how to farm and manage a farm efficiently and effectively. But a farmer’s son may not always remain farmer. In this world where time and change are perhaps the only constants, it would be perceptive if individuals learn to see possibilities and not be bounded by circumstances, consequently allowing themselves to gain sufficient access to the rest of the world.
The Essay on Education in a cosmopolitan Society
Multiculturalism is being challenged by new theories of cosmopolitanism. Discuss in relation to education. Theories of multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism have had a profound effect on Australian curriculum and education. Issues such as racism and secularisation have been a prominent feature of discussion in relation to the way it shapes the Australian curriculum and the shaping of our society. ...
There have been many individuals who have gone beyond the realms of what society deemed to be their life thanks to the education they have allowed themselves to receive. Joan of Arc was an illiterate female and though she knew nothing about warfare, she led the French army to victory in the 15th century as she claimed to be guided by visions of saints. Though Beethoven became deaf at a young age, it did not prevent him from composing some of the greatest music of all time. In our century, Nick Vujicic was born without limbs, but teaches people all around the world how to get up. The common thread running through such inspirations was the learning they allowed themselves to experience, eventually allowing them to achieve more than what their backgrounds had predicted they would, proving the pertinence of an education beyond what is useful in life.
Furthermore, though the significance in learning one’s culture appears to hold little or no perceivable utility, it is one of the most important forms of education anyone can receive. Embracing one’s culture not only allows the upholding of legacy but also serves as a moral compass that directs one’s actions. It also potentially behaves as a unifying factor within societies. A commendable exemplification of this is the community in Japan. In facing the copious amount of natural disasters in recent years, her societal mores have proven to bring her through. Unlike other parts of the world where looting, rioting and public outbursts of sorrow and rage have been observed during disasters, Japan is seen to be a country quietly mourning; its people standing patiently for hours in orderly lines for a few bottles of water.
Additionally, learning the essence of the global culture and the culture of others is equally valuable. To be able to gain the understanding of a culture outside of one’s own enables individuals to easily empathize and accept people different from them. This is especially important in societies that are growing increasingly cosmopolitan. The risk of people not being able to conform to this change may result in baleful consequences such as the massacre by anti-Muslim extremist, Anders Brevik. It is this education of culture, while viewed as useless in life by some, that allows for adaptability, which is very much necessary in today’s society.
The Research paper on Society and Culture 3
... the actual learning on a given societal culture. Modern society learns the culture by the formal education from varied ... often share the same culture. ❖ Many societies include a large number of people who speak different languages. ... century in response to the challenges of modernity. Increasing mobility and technological advances resulted in the increasing exposure of people to cultures and societies ...
While learning perceived useful teachings brings about some form of efficiency and effectiveness in trying to grow an economy, societies looking to grow their people into mature local and global citizens would have to look beyond just educating the people in what is considered needed to survive. Teachings must expand further than just the mundane, functional ones. Being able to be educated in the inherently valuable things – lessons that somehow are deemed a waste of time in society today – may actually be what society needs to look towards when creating and designing 21st century solutions. Thus, one’s education should not be skewed towards pragmatism.
