The second of four topics in this Winter/Spring CSA sponsored discussions was held at The BIAC Gallery at Artisan Square on 26 February. A small, but informed group investigated a variety of aspects of Education.
Here are some of the fundamental questions:
What is education? It is any process, structured or not, for the acquisition and the expansion of knowledge.
Is education limited to age or a particular phase in a person’s life? No, it is a life-long exercise intensified at certain age levels and driven by circumstances and an individual’s personality.
Is it the ultimate goal to make a lot of money? That is an individual’s choice.
Does education improve the quality of life? It can help a person to investigate and make informed choices, which lead to empowerment and an improved mastery of life. It offers “vertical mobility”.
Is education the same as Skill Training? Skill Training is part of Education, but requires repetition.
Are arts education, ethics and spiritual development as important as sciences and physical education? A balance is the ideal.
Who is a teacher, who is a student? We are all students and teachers throughout our lives.
Should teachers be third parents? No, but they should be aware of a student’s emotional, mental and physical health and intervene along a prescribed path, if they see a student’s well-being is in danger.
Should grades be given? More in the upper grades and always in conjunction with a detailed analysis of the individual student’s developmental level at that moment.
What are successful and what are unsuccessful methods?
Here are a few of the notable quotes that came out of our conversation:
“Everything becomes interesting, when you know enough about it.”
“Liberal Arts are free-from indoctrination.”
“Critical thinking, exploration and creativity are vital educational components.”
I want to thank the participants for their valuable contributions and insights in our discussion on Education.
The third AGORA, topic: “ The Right to Die, “ or, “Doctor Assisted Suicide,” will be held at The BIAC Galley on Thursday, April 16th, at 7:00 pm.
For more information contact Hans Behm at: [email protected] or call him at 604-947-9447
