The Buddha on Teaching

Believe nothing merely because you have been told it . . . or because it is tradition, or because you yourselves have imagined it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be conductive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings – that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.
- Gautama Buddha

This advice coming across the centuries is as important as the day it was spoken. The Buddha was a great teacher but he encouraged his followers and students to examine and analyse the teachings they received. His view that we should seek the good of all beings is at odds with today's schooling factories that turn out many blind learners without the skills to examine the world around them objectively. To use Gatto's term it is all about the interests of "the Combine" - big business, the military, transnational conglomerates and those who pursue wealth at all costs. For their interests to be served they need an army of unthinking people who are "educated" to obey without question, to endure boredom and have arid inner lives.

There are now millions of our young people who have been home schooled, deschooled or unschooled and who will not obey but rather challenge the mindless burearcracy that keeps the products of formal schooling in thrall to their masters.

May they turn the age...

DK

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The New Illiteracy

Today's quote is from a prescient thinker of the last century, Alvin Toffler. Alvin Toffler is an American writer and futurist, known for his works discussing the digital revolution, communication revolution and technological singularity. Toffler is a former associate editor of Fortune magazine. - sourced from Wikipedia

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”

– Alvin Toffler

At the time this was written in the 1970's the pace of change was much slower than it is today. Toffler, as a futurist, was able to forsee that as change increased so would the pace of learning. But the interesting point is not about learning, but rather the unlearning and relearning required to keep pace with technological change. Formal education is not well positioned to react to the disruptive change that is increasingly appearing. In fact the university system as we know it may well disappear in the next 50 years as it loses relevancy to self directed learners, unlearners and relearners. Another influential thinker, also writing in the 1970's, Ivan Illich, visited this theme in his book, Deschooling Society.

Most learning is not the result of instruction. It is rather the result of unhampered participation in a meaningful setting. Most people learn best by being "with it," yet school makes them identify their personal, cognitive growth with elaborate planning and manipulation.”
― Ivan Illich, Deschooling Society

Learning, unlearning and relearning are all best done outside of the constraints of the formal education system.

Your literacy in this age depends on your own self-directed learning.

DK

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Another language, another literature

One advantage of learning a new language is that it opens up a new literature to enjoy. I am now living in Qatar and learning Arabic. This is providing me with the opportunity to read Arabic books. I am at a very basic level currently but with perseverance I should be able to unlock some of the beauties of Arabic literature. This is not the first new language I have learned but I still have the brain ache from exercising my tongue and brain with an unfamiliar alphabet and vocab. Still I put it down to lifelong learning and I'm enjoying my new language. Practice makes perfect.

As one of the philosophers said, "He who has another language has another mind". I attribute this quote to the veritable Anon. but if anyone knows who this quote should be attributed to please let me know.

DK

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The Worth of Education

"America believes in education: the average professor earns more money in a year than a professional athlete earns in a whole week."

Evan Esar

I think this quote tells us something about our priorities. The Greeks put education and physical education as equals - a healthy mind in a healthy body. How did we get so out of kilter that sportspeople get paid so much more money? I guess though there are a lot less pro sports people than professors.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Book Learning for Success

"Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence. "

Abigail Adams

Books provide us with a rich vein to mine for our learning endeavours. To have book learning you need the right books and an ardor for learning.

One of the key functions of education is to equip you to learn for yourself. Once that has been accomplished you can apply the principles to teach yourself anything.

The Internet has many freely available ebooks, podcasts and videos that will assist you on your life long learning adventure.

Go well

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Hints for Language Learning

In a global economy it is a distinct advantage to know more than one language. Learning another language helps you to consider your own mother tongue. When learning a new language there are some hints that will make your task a little easier. Hints for Language Learning Be consistent in your application. You need to be exposed to your new language on a daily basis. It might only be 5-10 minutes a day but do it consistently. Learn from a variety of sources - podcasts, textbooks, talking to native speakers, reading newspapers, listening to TV and radio in the language you are learning. You will be surprised over several months how much you can pick up of a new language. Invest in a good dictionary that has your first language and the language you are learning. Try and learn as much about the culture of the area where your language is spoken, visit the area if possible. Culture and language are intertwined. Get used to hearing native speakers of the language so you pick up the correct speed, intonations and linguistic nuances. Speak the new language whenever you can. The Internet is fantastic for this, if you have a webcam or microphone. The use of Skype will allow you to talk to a native speaker for free. Buy some children's books in the new language. This will give you confidence at picking up simple vocabulary and syntax. Relax and enjoy the experience. As the old saying goes: He who has another language has another soul. First published on Qassia http://drkelp.qassia.com