Cooperative Learning between Parent and Child and Educational Contract
In Buddhism there are 4 primary relationships or more aptly responsibilities that people should follow. One of these is Parent Child. The Child must be willing to learn and the parent willing to teach. These are responsibilities we as a society should treat them this way. I do not mean this next statement to offend anyone or present a stereotypical reference, but who are consistently some of the best students Asian Americans. I firmly believe it is cultural the premise of being well educated is firmly established in the family structure. If we as a society can develop a mindset that education is a key to improving our country as a whole, and not just for those who can afford it, would we not all benefit?
The premise I believe is to set parameters and expectations for BOTH students and parents. We can set examples for the parents by providing an innovative and engaging teaching environment that establishes the parents as true partners. My youngest son has brought home reading homework that I must read with him and discuss. As a parent I look at this as quality time spent with my child, not more work. I then sign off that we have done it together. I understand the implications of the exercise (homework for parents), but I am firm believer that if creative tools are developed to have the parents actively participate in their Childs education many will make the effort.
This is not to say making it compulsory (or maybe it should be), but a parent is charged by society to be responsible for their Childs well being ....does that not include getting a good education? Maybe the answer here is a change in our society at large? The pursuit of wealth and success is often more important than being an active participant in a Childs life. What could be more rewarding than having a positive effect on your Childs life? The amount of input to a Childs education from an individual parent should have obvious parameters. This is where a standardized program (minimum requirements possibly) must be set by ONE body (Federal Government?). If a school district wants to complement the program with curriculum above and beyond the minimums, sure but still provide the basic minimum to all. I hope to discuss further this thought in the Future.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Democracy in School
Democracy has turned into a part-time experience for Americans.
The vast majorities only actively participate, or even pay attention about every 4 years, (election time). Taxpayers have long since stopped seeing themselves as an integral part or participant in Democracy. The populace has become more secular everyone seeking their own mini-democracies or enclaves or their own communities. Edward Banfield called these “amoral families.” The concept is basically maximizing your families’ material world and everyone else will do the same. What they fail to understand is the very meaning of Democracy, the people are the government.
The best example in illustrating how dangerous this can be, is the comparison of the Mafia. They have a strict moral code that holds the family together. But in dealing with the outside world this code is null and void, anything goes. The American populace must break out of these secular little worlds. We all must be an active participant the governmental process, and in order to do that we must be educated in how to participate. The very premise of a “public” school system, for any and all citizens to participate in, is pure democracy.
The vast majority of the general public do not believe this theory. The public school system is the perfect site for democratic citizenship education. It is a collection of different ideologies, religion and social upbringing. One of the purest forms of democracy is the debate and open discussion of different ideals and beliefs. The process of comparing and discussing and most importantly, experiencing these differences, can better prepare students for democratic participation. I cannot stress how important physical experience of any subject matter is to learning. Where else can a person pull together such a diverse set of experiences than an “integrated School? Are we as a nation falling into the inevitable capitalist by-product and accumulating profit and end in itself? Eventually seeking “more for mine” is the mindset many of us now follow. This inevitably leads to a breakdown in the very ideal of Democracy.
The vast majorities only actively participate, or even pay attention about every 4 years, (election time). Taxpayers have long since stopped seeing themselves as an integral part or participant in Democracy. The populace has become more secular everyone seeking their own mini-democracies or enclaves or their own communities. Edward Banfield called these “amoral families.” The concept is basically maximizing your families’ material world and everyone else will do the same. What they fail to understand is the very meaning of Democracy, the people are the government.
The best example in illustrating how dangerous this can be, is the comparison of the Mafia. They have a strict moral code that holds the family together. But in dealing with the outside world this code is null and void, anything goes. The American populace must break out of these secular little worlds. We all must be an active participant the governmental process, and in order to do that we must be educated in how to participate. The very premise of a “public” school system, for any and all citizens to participate in, is pure democracy.
The vast majority of the general public do not believe this theory. The public school system is the perfect site for democratic citizenship education. It is a collection of different ideologies, religion and social upbringing. One of the purest forms of democracy is the debate and open discussion of different ideals and beliefs. The process of comparing and discussing and most importantly, experiencing these differences, can better prepare students for democratic participation. I cannot stress how important physical experience of any subject matter is to learning. Where else can a person pull together such a diverse set of experiences than an “integrated School? Are we as a nation falling into the inevitable capitalist by-product and accumulating profit and end in itself? Eventually seeking “more for mine” is the mindset many of us now follow. This inevitably leads to a breakdown in the very ideal of Democracy.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Social Experiment
I have a question for my colleagues. Would you care for or adopt a child outside of your enthnicity? As we discuss the challenges in the current educational climate, I think it is important that we ourselves do a littel soul searching. I am not trying to "call out" anyone but simply prove a point. I truly believe that because of our chosen professional pursuit that we as a group are more opened minded than most, we have to be. I also feel though that we are subconsciencely influenced by social stigmas. But this brings about my question. Do we see only students and not students of a racial group ? Can you honestly say to yourself that yes I would care for/adopt a child outside of my race? Again this is ultimately an excercise in trying to realize the challenges we face as educators. There are many kind hearted people out there but where is the line drawn? Will most ultimately stick with there own? One of the big reasons I bring this up is the recent trend for "celebrities" to adopt children from a different race, but amazingly from a different Country !!! As if there are no needy, adoptable children in the USA! It makes me suspect of them. Is this simply a twited publicity stunt? I understand that many will view this as a simplistic view of this situation, but in my opinion it is simple. If you truly want to help a disadvantaged child (the large majority of them in the US are African American)you need only look in your own country! Anyway I would like feedback from you my classmates.
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