Education is Upside-down

Three ways in which I wish I could stand current teaching practices on their head

It’s upside down.  There are three aspects of higher education that might be stood on their heads and make more sense.  Possibly true, as well, of education in general in the US.  And elsewhere? 

1.       We learn by asking questions not answering them.  A student has questions about the world.  The teacher can help him or her develop “first draft” answers.  Tests are largely for grading not deep reflective understanding.  Grading is largely for food products. 

2.       We learn by making mistakes and exploring why.  Schools should reward failure.  High grades given for the right kind of failure (the kind that leads to success).   Life is trying what is harder and harder and learning from each mistake along the way. 

3.       First comes the mastery of skills and then reflection on their value and use.  What we call general education should be the last two years of college, not the first.  Students won’t seriously focus on ideas until they achieve a certain level of self-confidence.   From experience, richly imagined, grows the will to know. 

Don’t agree.  Use the comment button below and help me develop these ideas.