When you say the word freedom, people tend to think "no rules." However, in a classroom, this does not promote learning unless students have already internalized a certain set of rules or values through which they can effectively use the learning space.
A Quest for the Abolition of Man
When the ‘Tao’ becomes a product of the educational system, it no longer has the power to keep mankind from destroying himself through utter submission to natural and irrational impulses. These will be exercised by a few over all the rest in a haphazard manner that invites no judgement of good or evil because these concepts in themselves are open to being shaped by those who happen to be in power at the moment.
When the Stars Lost Their Divinity
We must see through some things, but Lewis suggests that humanity itself should not be on the agenda for a reduction to some element of nature that can be manipulated and changed.
A (Dys)functional Approach to Education
Popular calls for education reform to produce 'functions' of creativity only provide an ironic outline of what is missing from this functional education system: the human element. Education must produce humans. Creativity is a natural expression of humanity. In order to teach someone what it means to be human, there must be some understanding of what this is or how it might look.
Foundations of Democratic Reform
The appeal by Lewis to a transcendent universal standard creates the space required for a democratic approach to education reform. If the standard is universal, every person has some idea of what it might look like and can participate in the process of building a new system. On the other hand, if the standard is arbitrary, then only those with power, authority, and credentials have the ability to propose changes for reasons only they can understand.
How A Value for Education Vanished from Modern Schools
In an attempt not to teach any values, the value of facts also disappears leaving students with no incentive to learn - except perhaps the fear of bad grades. It seems like we must either embrace some standard of value (or angle of truth) in order to make the learning experience have any significance for the student.
How to Change The World
Changing the world is more accessible to all of us today than ever before, but this does not mean the challenge is any easier than it was a thousand years ago. The most difficult person to change is often the one who is closest to us. In fact, changing our own minds can sometimes seem like an impossible feat.
Education for Empowerment of Individuals and Communities
Communities of Empowerment – Chapter & Article Review Kevin Jenson Colorado State University Approaching the concept of empowerment from a western perspective, there are three major views that dominate the discussion. Functional empowerment is the focus of most university and adult training programs. It involves an improvement of skills and performance in one’s roles. Psychological … Continue reading Education for Empowerment of Individuals and Communities
The Aim of Liberal Education is Human Excellence…
The aim of liberal education is human excellence…It regards man as an end, not as a means; and it regards the ends of life, and not the means to it. For this reason it is the education of free men. Other types of education or training treat men as means to some other end, or … Continue reading The Aim of Liberal Education is Human Excellence…
A Beautiful Extraordinary Life
"Who doesn't want a beautiful, extraordinary life?" I think this video encapsulates the idea posed by CS Lewis that "something deep within the human heart breaks at the thought of mediocrity." Take inspiration from this video shared by my friends at http://www.created.education. They are exploring ways to empower individuals to achieve this goal by creating … Continue reading A Beautiful Extraordinary Life
Human-Centered Learning 