The struggle has been so real for me on this education topic we've been discussing in class this past couple of weeks. Education being that of the act of educating someone! Instilling knowledge and information into others has roots back to basic human nature. As a human we are naturally curious and want to know and learn more of the things that are new or unknown to us. The education system in the United States and many other countries has evolved into a very systemic process. In order to advance or progress through school we must meet a certain level of requirements that are predetermined by some higher council that dictates what is "normal" or suitable for that stage/age in life. In order to establish that such a level has been attained they have rolled out what is known as STANDARDIZED TESTING. Standardized. What is the standard? Who determines what the standard is? Something that is standard for one individual, may not be standard for another individual. The subjectivity of this word means that it isn't concrete. Humans are not concrete. Due to the beauty of genetic mutations that occur when two different forms of DNA come together to produce new form of DNA that is different and unlike any other DNA before it, we get an new human. Due to this process each human is unique and different. That being said, how can one be tested on standard level, when one isn't standard?
GOOD QUESTION! The answer isn't easy.
Take someone like myself. I excelled in school. My test taking ability was a whole other story. Based off of my tests you'd think I slept through class or didn't even attend them at all. Then there is my sister, she hated school, nothing made any sense except English. She says that the only way she made it through school was because she could take tests. Multiple choice questions have loop holes. Based off of percentages and process of elimination even those who barely paid attention in class could guess there way through school. BUT, is this really learning??
Think back to the great philosopher Socrates, did he test those he taught? Yes! But with thought provoking questions, not multiple choice tests that are designed to trick you. His form of teaching involved enlightenment. Enlightenment of truth or knowledge is wanted learning. There is the key word to the current education problem... WANTED!!! Education today is forced, and like all kids it's natural to push against what is being FORCED upon them. Sugata Mitra realized this with his experiments with computers. When children were given the chance to learn for themselves they wanted to learn. They enjoyed learning. THEY ACTUALLY LEARNED.
Core Curriculum's and standardized testing has stomped on millions of young progressing minds, and sadly had harbored the teachers as well. It's common to see teachers who once loved teaching grow into robots who just present required material, hold tests, and turn their heads to the ones who don't "fit" in to the system they have to work in.
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