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>The sciences and mathematics have a historic place in the curriculum, and technology does not, for the simple reason that the latter is not inherently “about”
by virtuous_signal 7y ago
>The sciences and mathematics have a historic place in the curriculum, and technology does not, for the simple reason that the latter is not inherently “about” anything. Absent human contributions on specific topics, cut off from the subject matter of academic work, technology is nothing—an electron microscope without any samples, darkened VR goggles, an empty spreadsheet. Specializing in techne as such means trying to teach people to be good at “making” without having any idea of what to make, or why to make it.
I wonder what STEM education would have been centuries ago -- a 60-minute class period learning about the inner workings of a steam engine? or how to operate a spinning jenny? It would certainly look out of place in a school curriculum, and better learned on the job or in an apprenticeship.
As a counterpoint to the author, I would point out that universal public education is a recent thing. Sure, maybe classroom education should focus on "the good, the true, and the beautiful" but then why should we expect everyone to do it?
- deogeo 7y ago> universal public education is a recent thing. Not that recent - it's been around since the 1750s: "The education reform was met with hostility particularly by peasants who wanted the children to work in the fields instead. Maria Theresa crushed the dissent by ordering the arrest of all those opposed." -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Theresa#Education https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Theresa#Education
- throwaway023421 7y agoI studied engineering in a country with a non-idiotic university program. Books (in b/w), pencil and paper. Lessons using a whiteboard or blackboard with chalk. Desks and chairs. Some of the rooms where exactly the same used a century ago. You learn theory, not how some "new technology of the year" works. > I would point out that universal public education is a recent thing. "recent" as in french revolution. > Sure, maybe classroom education should focus on "the good, the true, and the beautiful" but then why should we expect everyone to do it? Yes.