A move towards holistic education?
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 9:03 am
Hi everyone,
I was just reading a post regarding the way in which we all learn differently. For example, while some of us learn better using visual stimulus, others learn better by using their hands, or by listening, etc.
It reminded me of an experiment done at my son's school when he was around 12. The teachers set a test to find out which mode of teaching/learning the child was more attuned to. In my son's case, it was shown that he was more suited to learning through visual stimulus such as reading material, pictures, etc. In fact it also showed he found it very difficult to learn through listening to the teacher.
This was all very interesting and I was pleased the school was taking an interest in the possibility that different pupils need different modes of teaching. I myself often feel frustrated that the school system is failing to teach children holistically. That is, guiding them to where their true talents and passions lie, rather than pushing them into learning useless facts that they are clearly not attuned to.
Anyway, getting back to the story. While I was nodding in approval about the experiment, my son proceeded to inform me that as a result of the test's findings, he was told that he should try harder in future to listen to the teacher! What a wasted exercise, I thought. It is such a shame that the potential growth in understanding was totally lost.
What are your views on education today? Do you hope for a more holistic approach in teaching our children?
I was just reading a post regarding the way in which we all learn differently. For example, while some of us learn better using visual stimulus, others learn better by using their hands, or by listening, etc.
It reminded me of an experiment done at my son's school when he was around 12. The teachers set a test to find out which mode of teaching/learning the child was more attuned to. In my son's case, it was shown that he was more suited to learning through visual stimulus such as reading material, pictures, etc. In fact it also showed he found it very difficult to learn through listening to the teacher.
This was all very interesting and I was pleased the school was taking an interest in the possibility that different pupils need different modes of teaching. I myself often feel frustrated that the school system is failing to teach children holistically. That is, guiding them to where their true talents and passions lie, rather than pushing them into learning useless facts that they are clearly not attuned to.
Anyway, getting back to the story. While I was nodding in approval about the experiment, my son proceeded to inform me that as a result of the test's findings, he was told that he should try harder in future to listen to the teacher! What a wasted exercise, I thought. It is such a shame that the potential growth in understanding was totally lost.
What are your views on education today? Do you hope for a more holistic approach in teaching our children?