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The problem with education is, its self referential, as in you might not know at the start why you learn and you might be able to evaluate the goal of the whole

The problem with education is, its self referential, as in you might not know at the start why you learn and you might be able to evaluate the goal of the whole endeavor only after you are halfway through it. From the Napoleon hill of history, looking at it and assuming those down there in the trenches below the powder smoke can see the same whole picture of a worthwhile sacrifice of time - might be a big assumption based upon only your own accumulated post-experience knowledge. A kid might not have a Feynman as father that encourages it to explore the world. Forcing this kid through mathematics, giving it the chance to later discover- hey you can program games with this or control drones- and live a different live then your dad who sits drinking in front of the TV all day - that is what the old teaching method provides. It sucks for those who educate there kids to have a expedition and curiosity mindset, but its hugely beneficial to those parts of society who do not understand the real benefits of education.

mbrock 10y ago
But only a few students will actually be motivated enough by classroom math to learn enough to later program games or drones. Most students develop an allergic reaction to anything that even reminds them of the horrors of school math.
- Pica_soO 10y ago
  You are right- which is why maybe a dual approach would be optimal- if you don't show intrinsic interest, you are self-condemned to the passive classic approach. If you allow yourself to get involved (there must be of course those offerings, in some fun alternative).. i guess, it should be allowed for those involved in project schooling to train and recruit those stuck in passive schooling. This project system has a vulnerability though, it breeds specialists. So a teacher should encourage projects tackling different subjects and demand that everyone contribute to a project with calculus for example.
arithma 10y ago
Probably better if kids learned math by directly controlling drones or programming games.
- Pica_soO 10y ago
  Thought that too, but not everybody instantly finds the thing that is rewarding to them. And probably, before everyone sets out in university to find his own interests, even with this a number of students will remain bored for the time they have to learn this. Its sad but not avoidable.

mbrock 10y ago

But only a few students will actually be motivated enough by classroom math to learn enough to later program games or drones. Most students develop an allergic reaction to anything that even reminds them of the horrors of school math.

Pica_soO 10y ago
You are right- which is why maybe a dual approach would be optimal- if you don't show intrinsic interest, you are self-condemned to the passive classic approach. If you allow yourself to get involved (there must be of course those offerings, in some fun alternative).. i guess, it should be allowed for those involved in project schooling to train and recruit those stuck in passive schooling. This project system has a vulnerability though, it breeds specialists. So a teacher should encourage projects tackling different subjects and demand that everyone contribute to a project with calculus for example.

arithma 10y ago

Probably better if kids learned math by directly controlling drones or programming games.

Pica_soO 10y ago
Thought that too, but not everybody instantly finds the thing that is rewarding to them. And probably, before everyone sets out in university to find his own interests, even with this a number of students will remain bored for the time they have to learn this. Its sad but not avoidable.