Post by Anarchic Tribes on May 29, 2005 13:13:46 GMT -5
What do you think of when the word 'school' is used?
Lib asked:
So, what I'm interested in is changing the education system (not just the schools). I think schools are crap (in general) but I like the idea. If schools were buildings instead of institutions, buildings of education, for all and any age, where people LEARN, where people have choices and freedom and equal rights and power, then how different life would be.
I think democratic/'free' schools are a small step towards that aim. However, (generally) they only serve those that can afford such luxuries, so that's crap too.
There are exceptions and I will look into these later.
I have family members that went to Summerhill and I was brought up with much of Neill's education philosophy (I'd read his book 'Summerhill' at least twice before I was 10). I went to state run schools and wondered why/how things could be so different. I could never see the point, other than the obvious reasons for institutions.
There are a lot more 'alternative' schools starting up, but they still play the game of 'educating the children'.
It's a bit ageist isn't it?
There are real problems that need addressing with the system right now. 'Schools out' for the 15/16 year olds here, as from last thursday. To celebrate 'the best years of their lives' at one school the kids smashed 120 windows. At another school there were several fights (including a shooting, fortunately no-one seriously hurt) and a car crash. At another school more fights (including a stabbing, again no-one seriously hurt) and a bike/car accident. These are just the 3 schools most local to me, and as I said I live in Tweedom so I know nothing of what goes on in the cities. These kids are angry and stupid, and that was (for many) the END of their 'education'. Shit.
They start their 'education' at 4 or 5 where upon they are told learn this but just this. They progress onto learning that, but just that. They are not allowed to learn what they want to learn (unless of course they're lucky or stupid enough to want to learn that which they are told to). How does that benefit anyone other than the slave-drivers?
I've spent the last 25 years thinking about all this.
Has anyone been watching Doctor Who?
Lib asked:
so if i understood correctly you're somewhat interested in these democratic schools? me too, i think i would love to be studying in one of those. what have you found out about them? what's your opinion?
So, what I'm interested in is changing the education system (not just the schools). I think schools are crap (in general) but I like the idea. If schools were buildings instead of institutions, buildings of education, for all and any age, where people LEARN, where people have choices and freedom and equal rights and power, then how different life would be.
I think democratic/'free' schools are a small step towards that aim. However, (generally) they only serve those that can afford such luxuries, so that's crap too.
There are exceptions and I will look into these later.
I have family members that went to Summerhill and I was brought up with much of Neill's education philosophy (I'd read his book 'Summerhill' at least twice before I was 10). I went to state run schools and wondered why/how things could be so different. I could never see the point, other than the obvious reasons for institutions.
There are a lot more 'alternative' schools starting up, but they still play the game of 'educating the children'.
It's a bit ageist isn't it?
There are real problems that need addressing with the system right now. 'Schools out' for the 15/16 year olds here, as from last thursday. To celebrate 'the best years of their lives' at one school the kids smashed 120 windows. At another school there were several fights (including a shooting, fortunately no-one seriously hurt) and a car crash. At another school more fights (including a stabbing, again no-one seriously hurt) and a bike/car accident. These are just the 3 schools most local to me, and as I said I live in Tweedom so I know nothing of what goes on in the cities. These kids are angry and stupid, and that was (for many) the END of their 'education'. Shit.
They start their 'education' at 4 or 5 where upon they are told learn this but just this. They progress onto learning that, but just that. They are not allowed to learn what they want to learn (unless of course they're lucky or stupid enough to want to learn that which they are told to). How does that benefit anyone other than the slave-drivers?
I've spent the last 25 years thinking about all this.
Has anyone been watching Doctor Who?
