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Unlearn the Rules of Education
Ah, here’s the catch with learning: the way we do it in the U.S. (and lots of other places) doesn’t really set you up to be a high-functioning professional. I spent nearly two decades in school, like many people, being told that my individuality is basically all that matters… my homework, my test scores, my admissions essay, etc. But the real world is vastly more complicated than how many questions I got right on a test. It’s harsher, far less forgiving of error, and thus requires collaboration and partnership… ways of working most teachers would classify as cheating. The nature of test taking and homework — which couldn’t be less a part of adult life — implies that if you don’t know the answer, just fill in your best guess and hope you get lucky. In grownup world, that sounds like a terrific way to get fired. But no one ever really talks about this in school, or at home. We’re pretty much expected to learn all that on our own, or hope that it comes naturally.
I don’t mean to say being smart and educated doesn’t matter. It does. But the world is full of underpaid, overeducated employees that expect their bosses to give a shit about their GPA. Meanwhile, that boss’ biggest issue with their cocky employee is probably over something really simple, like not knowing when to just shut up and listen.
Plus, getting ahead in adult life is largely about your reputation (see #19), being kind, and networking, none of which are found in most high school or college curricula. I also wish that more schools would offer some kind of Adult Money 101 course, where one might learn things like how to invest savings or pick the right mortgage. Look, I have no beef with trigonometry, but it is completely worthless to at least 80% of Americans. Yet we all take it in high school instead of a class that explains interest rates and the principles of budgeting. Crazy.
Anyway, most schools teach you to be smart, but not how to be a good, stable person. Maybe take some time to learn about that, too.
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© 2012, Ian Mathias
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While your point about trig being useless to most Americans may be true, i think it was unfairly singled out. Call me a geek for being the white knight of trig, but there is no one thing that helps me more than knowledge of trig on a day to day basis. Bridges wouldn’t stay standing, buildings wouldn’t support their own weight, and cars wouldn’t keep you alive when you crashed if it wasn’t for trig.
I realize that I am nitpicking, but at the high school level only 5% of kids know what they will be doing as a career at best.
The same could be said about HS literature classes. At the time, I had neither the interest in or the ability to comprehend fully the important and controversial subjects presented in classic literature, but I understood math. That isn’t to say that I don’t enjoy literature or I am unable to think critically about the themes and dilemnas presented in books…it is now one of my favorite pastimes, but on my own terms. I guess my point is that all subjects should be introduced, and the student will be drawn to whichever resonates with him.
I certainly agree that a class on money management should be part of the core curriculum of any school, so much so that I think it should take precedence over ANY of the classes given today. Every adult needs those skills and the lessons that could easily be taught in schools are often hard learned later in life, and often at great cost.
So in summation: yes, money management needs to be taught, but oh man do I get indignant when somebody says trig is useless.
You said it right, you’re nitpicking. I would agree with his statement about trig, because at the individual level, most American’s straight up don’t give a damn about it.
Yes, it’s responsible for most feats of civil engineering, absolutely. Most of us can appreciate it, don’t get me wrong! But you aren’t listening to his broad message.
The blogger is pointing out that more “group/collaborative/social/real-world” lessons need to be taught in the classroom, in addition to all the amazing lessons taught to us at the individual level.
A distinction should be made between schooling and education. A great quote:
“Never let your schooling interfere with your education.” – Mark Twain
Twain is a quotemaster… good one.
His overall message wasn’t lost on me, and yes it was a bit pedantic and nitpicky, which I realized half way through, but cut me a break…writing this was pretty much the most productive thing I have done all day. I couldn’t just delete my thoughts. What I was trying to get across is that there are plenty of us engineering types who feel the same about history and lit. 80% of us don’t use it, but it should certainly be taught to pique the interest of those who are naturally drawn to it. Singling out one of my favorite subjects just irks me.