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Purpose of Education
March 25, 2008 | |
I found the most simple response to the purpose of education from http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_purpose_of_an_education
The answer given said “to eliminate ignorance”. I guess, in the most simple terms that is the answer to the question. However, as educators, we know the steps to eliminate ignorance are massive.
I remember in undergraduate classes discussing this very issue. In that particular class, the debate boiled down to the differences between broad, general education or specific, job related education. Should education be a mile deep or a mile wide? I could see the debate issues on both sides.
Mile Wide
The mile wide part of the purpose of education is to provide a varied and diverse education to students so they may follow interests that will lead to more productive lives. Students should be given multiple avenues to explore. The avenues explored can not be taught in depth because there is so much to teach.
Mile Deep
The mile deep part of the argument, once someone knows what they need to get a job, why do they need to have a broad education. Students need to be able to function in the real world, why do they need to know proofs in Geometry, for example. Once students know what to do, then that topic is explored in great depth.
What do I think the purpose of education is? I think the purpose of education is to provide the opportunity for all students to live productive lives in the real world as adults. Whatever path they take to get there can be as different as the students are themselves.
