“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”—John Dewey
I read an article* recently about the “free college” debate. Arguments aside, there is a truth to the article, and that is that we do already have free education. In fact, with the growth of the Internet, education is more freely available than at any time in history.
The article reminds the reader of the line from the movie Good Will Hunting: “You blew 150k on an education you could have gotten in $1.50 in late fees from the library.” While there is merit in a college education, the most important thing that anyone can take from an education is the desire and ability to learn.
I just finished the Winter term at the university at which I teach. I love my students, and they are all quite capable. Unfortunately, it appears to me that, for an increasing number, my courses are merely a checkmark to a diploma. There seems to be less and less ambition to learn for learning sake. I don’t fault the students, per se. Certainly, this is in part due to a system that is increasingly bound to test outcomes and unable to facilitate a hunger for knowledge. It is sad. I can only hope that at some point a passion for learning will awaken in all of my students. We must all hunger to learn.
The “well-centered” individual seeks out knowledge and is deliberate about growth in the Intellectual dimension. Daily reading is a must! A dull, unstimulated brain accumulates the neurological equivalent of rust.
We seem to have lost the ability to have intellectual discourse. We communicate in emojis, abbreviations, and 140 characters. We don’t talk and debate like we used to. We are afraid of offending and we are unwilling to allow our beliefs to be challenged. We bury our faces in smartphones and deny the person next to us the opportunity to really know us.
“Free education” is a great idea. Thing is, we already have it. We have a wealth of knowledge available in family, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, strangers, and others. We have more published works than anyone could read in a lifetime. Books in print. e-Books. Audio books. Movies based on books—are better than nothing.
Remember libraries? They still exist. The public library is one of the great American institutions. With electronics like tablets and iPads, one doesn’t even have to physically go to the library anymore. One can check out books electronically. One can carry a wealth of books and journal articles on something as small as one’s phone. There is really no excuse not to read when we have down time.
In addition to reading, we have great access to information via the Internet and videos. An increasing number of colleges and universities are making courses available for free. On top of this the is YouTube, Ted talks, Kahn Academy, edX, and countless more great sources of quality education.
We should never stop learning. Learning is growing. Our minds should be open to new information and ideas. Challenge ideas. Don’t accept information passively. Engage. Question. Dispute. Use your brain!!
I love the above quote by John Dewey. Education is, indeed, “life itself.” Education should not be a destination. I, personally, find it ironic that my Ph.D. is considered a “terminal” degree. It might be the highest attainable letters, but it cannot be the end of my learning—or I fail my students. If I have learned anything in my schooling, it is that the more I learn, the less I know. Information is growing exponentially. I can’t keep up. The more I try, the more ignorant I become—the more I recognize how little I know. This is good, because, instead of being intimidated by what I don’t know, I desire to learn all the more.
Wherever you are in your formal education, don’t let it be your end. Let formal education be your beginning. Hunger for knowledge. Share what you learn. (In other words, don’t bury yourself in books. Learn in community.) As part of your growth plan, set aside time to read. In addition, set aside time for face-to-face communication. And read to your children. Encourage them to enjoy reading and school.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow!
Carpe momento!
*http://www.themilreview.com/social-policy/a-conservative-proposal-for-free-education