As Dewey stated, society does provide for significant learning situations, but schools are capable of leading society down the right path because of its influence on the social culture. Teachers can still impact and influence students even if education is the secondary agency in society. Even the toughest of times at home; there are thousands of students that are resilient enough to make their way to school. Schools are sometimes the only hope that students have to fill roles in their lives that are vacant.
Schools and classroom stand for many positive things such as; positive adult relationships, positive reinforcement, acknowledgement, acceptance for who they are, affirmation, and empathy. If school were a choice, I truly believe that we would still have full classrooms. We are the only opportunity many have to change their class system and personal outlooks.
It is my belief that teachers and schools battle being secondary in many students lives on a daily basis. Our focus should remain on educating problem solvers who experience real world learning opportunities, which allow more students to choose to make education a priority.
Dewey argued that social influences are the great educator and that schools are only a secondary agency.
This could be a true point, but I believe schools are on equal footing in the context of influence. Children and youth coming from a rural Appalachian Mountain background have a variety of influences in their lives consisting of family, economic status, community expectations, and life experiences (or lack thereof). In this instance the school may not be able to affect the lack of parent participation in a student’s life, but may be able to provide a glimmer of hope, or a door to a future that is different than what may or may not be expected of the family. The educator may not be able to sway believes or change a student’s life choice for the better, but the educational system has provided a tool that could be available for the taking.
This could be a true point, but I believe schools are on equal footing in the context of influence. Children and youth coming from a rural Appalachian Mountain background have a variety of influences in their lives consisting of family, economic status, community expectations, and life experiences (or lack thereof). In this instance the school may not be able to affect the lack of parent participation in a student’s life, but may be able to provide a glimmer of hope, or a door to a future that is different than what may or may not be expected of the family. The educator may not be able to sway believes or change a student’s life choice for the better, but the educational system has provided a tool that could be available for the taking.
Our children are shaped by the experiences they live. They are molded by our families, our traditions and by outside influences including friends, neighborhoods and media. As their access to instant information is unlimited, those outside influences can take them into places that most parents wouldn't even dream of in a matter of seconds.
The immediate cultural content of today’s youth certainly includes a separate and distinct youth culture, with all the trainings of media influence. Dewey argued that social influences are the great educator and that schools are only a secondary agency, and how right he was. Today’s students have a firm grasp of all technology. Even students from low socio-economic backgrounds enjoy all the bells and whistles of technology, such as I phones, iPads, smart phones and Droids. They are aware of the programs and all the instruments usages before I have even heard of the programs, or technology.
Today’s students are creating their own communities on social networks pages such as Face book, and MySpace. They have instant information at their finger tips. Something that I wish I could in lower level of my education, but certainly appreciate as I am completing my current course.
Every parent dreams of a superior education with the best outcomes for their children's future. Visions of superior education don't always include what they learn on face book, MTV's 16 and Pregnant, or from the friend down the street. Parents and educators must be aware of these outside influences and build in teachable moments to help guide our students.
If schools are the secondary to the wider society, some of the biggest problems teachers will have with these cultural contexts are the things students will learn that are inappropriate in our society. Students may be influenced by their peers, or presented information that is harmful in inaccurate. In that case, teachers should be teaching our children to be critical thinkers and to have an open mind for new information. They should focus on teaching our students to do further studies or going deeper into researching information for accuracy.
Dewey envisioned an educational system where students were educated through experiences and through their interests. While social influences are the great educator, Dewey also stated that curriculum could be made interesting by starting with the students' interests. From there, we should help them shape new learning experiences that are chosen and guided in accord with those interests. Dewey did not say that we should let students' learning happen haphazardly.
Every parent dreams of a superior education with the best outcomes for their children's future. Visions of superior education don't always include what they learn on face book, MTV's 16 and Pregnant, or from the friend down the street. Parents and educators must be aware of these outside influences and build in teachable moments to help guide our students.
If schools are the secondary to the wider society, some of the biggest problems teachers will have with these cultural contexts are the things students will learn that are inappropriate in our society. Students may be influenced by their peers, or presented information that is harmful in inaccurate. In that case, teachers should be teaching our children to be critical thinkers and to have an open mind for new information. They should focus on teaching our students to do further studies or going deeper into researching information for accuracy.
Dewey envisioned an educational system where students were educated through experiences and through their interests. While social influences are the great educator, Dewey also stated that curriculum could be made interesting by starting with the students' interests. From there, we should help them shape new learning experiences that are chosen and guided in accord with those interests. Dewey did not say that we should let students' learning happen haphazardly.
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