Comments on: More Freedom in American Education http://towardsuni.is-there.net/more-freedom-in-american-education/ Education and Scholarships In An Asian Perspective Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:25:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: ZMAng http://towardsuni.is-there.net/more-freedom-in-american-education/#comment-7 ZMAng Mon, 26 Dec 2005 14:16:59 +0000 http://towardsuni.is-there.net/more-freedom-in-american-education/#comment-7 You are correct. But if indeed the goal is to foster intellectual curiosity and independent thinking, a more logical step to take would seem to be a reform of the state-run education system. Independent schooling seems to be suggested as a means of solving the problems related to the choice between the alternatives rather than in fostering independent thinking. Even in Coulson's article, he states that "...within the structure of our <em>existing</em> education system..." (emphasis mine) it is not possible to ensure freedom in education. If so, then we should just change the system. Of course, this is unless both systems are deemed correct and that neither is better than the other. From what I see, we would then be suggesting that state-run schools must promote rote-learning, while independent schooling does otherwise because there should be a choice between the two. You are correct. But if indeed the goal is to foster intellectual curiosity and independent thinking, a more logical step to take would seem to be a reform of the state-run education system.

Independent schooling seems to be suggested as a means of solving the problems related to the choice between the alternatives rather than in fostering independent thinking. Even in Coulson’s article, he states that “…within the structure of our existing education system…” (emphasis mine) it is not possible to ensure freedom in education. If so, then we should just change the system.

Of course, this is unless both systems are deemed correct and that neither is better than the other. From what I see, we would then be suggesting that state-run schools must promote rote-learning, while independent schooling does otherwise because there should be a choice between the two.

]]> By: Pi. http://towardsuni.is-there.net/more-freedom-in-american-education/#comment-6 Pi. Mon, 26 Dec 2005 04:50:41 +0000 http://towardsuni.is-there.net/more-freedom-in-american-education/#comment-6 Yes, the choice should lie with the student. However, the education system must then be adjusted so that students are taught from a young age to question and make decisions for themselves, rather than assume everything they are taught is correct; and no educational system wants that before university age. My thoughts on evolution and intelligent design <a href="http://private-intellectual.blogspot.com/2005/12/intelligent-design.html" rel="nofollow">are here</a>. Pi. Yes, the choice should lie with the student. However, the education system must then be adjusted so that students are taught from a young age to question and make decisions for themselves, rather than assume everything they are taught is correct; and no educational system wants that before university age.

My thoughts on evolution and intelligent design are here.

Pi.

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