Teach How to Think, Not What To Think
"In Education, shouldn't we do something definite, have something clearly in mind, have a particular goal which will modify the behavior of our people so that they can arrange some system of hunting and fishing that will keep them better from starvation?"... "We can teach them how to think not what to think". (Benjamin, 2004)
What resonated with me in "The Ends Principle" and Saber-tooth curriculum is that along with the constant change in the way of life, is the evolution of the mind. The creativity by which people have used their education in order to live has long been beyond survival.
Evolution of the mind was, I think, the underlying theme in Saber-tooth curriculum. People were constantly brainstorming, negotiating, and thinking alternative ways to survive and solve problems. Those who were successful are the ones who were able to think outside the box and find new solutions. Human relations also were portrayed timelessly in that we see fast learners, not so fast learners, traditional, innovators, business minded, open-minded, narrow-minded. Human nature remains the same, but the way we approach a problem evolve over time.
No matter how curriculum has been shaped and changed to adapt to current situation, people have shown ability to go beyond the scope of education. According to Benjamin (2004), "One of the shrewdest fishermen of the tribe, devised a system of ownership of fishing rights" (p. 95). In this information age we have seen some influential people who have been instrumental in the internet world and has changed the way people communicate, work, or even shop. I believe we as educators, as designers, have the challenge to always keep The Ends principle in mind. We want to be able to prepare our students with the skills that will equip them to face the challenges that awaits them in the future. One of our biggest challenges: to teach them how to think.
Benjamin, H. R. W. (2004). Saber-tooth curriculum. New York: McGraw-Hill.
What resonated with me in "The Ends Principle" and Saber-tooth curriculum is that along with the constant change in the way of life, is the evolution of the mind. The creativity by which people have used their education in order to live has long been beyond survival.
Evolution of the mind was, I think, the underlying theme in Saber-tooth curriculum. People were constantly brainstorming, negotiating, and thinking alternative ways to survive and solve problems. Those who were successful are the ones who were able to think outside the box and find new solutions. Human relations also were portrayed timelessly in that we see fast learners, not so fast learners, traditional, innovators, business minded, open-minded, narrow-minded. Human nature remains the same, but the way we approach a problem evolve over time.
No matter how curriculum has been shaped and changed to adapt to current situation, people have shown ability to go beyond the scope of education. According to Benjamin (2004), "One of the shrewdest fishermen of the tribe, devised a system of ownership of fishing rights" (p. 95). In this information age we have seen some influential people who have been instrumental in the internet world and has changed the way people communicate, work, or even shop. I believe we as educators, as designers, have the challenge to always keep The Ends principle in mind. We want to be able to prepare our students with the skills that will equip them to face the challenges that awaits them in the future. One of our biggest challenges: to teach them how to think.
Benjamin, H. R. W. (2004). Saber-tooth curriculum. New York: McGraw-Hill.
"One of our biggest challenges: to teach them how to think."--The focus on the "how" and not on the "what" of thinking does indeed present a challenge. People of all ages are constantly consuming information, but are they making the best use of that information? I connected the "how" with ideas in "Situated Cognition:" the "what" (learning/knowing) can not be separated from the "how" (activity/culture). It is the "how" that we do with the "what" that will equip students to be future ready.
ReplyDeleteNice Blog, my students always complain that they do not see the relevancy of most of their core classes. I tell them that their core classes are the foundation of learning and that they need to work hard to be well educated. Their come back is "why do I need that for Cosmetology" and then I try to show them how they will use it. As Caitlin stated above Learning/knowing and Activity/culture is important, but I don't believe too many teachers do it.
ReplyDeleteYour blog post is written extremely well, and your quote is perfect. When you first mention "evolution of the mind", I automatically think "growth mindset". I talk about it all the time, and I firmly believe it's a tool that will be useful in any situation and any stage in life.
ReplyDelete"Evolution of the mind" is a good way of putting it. I thought the push and pull between the people who wanted the curriculum to remain the same, and those who wanted it to evolve to fit the current needs was also well represented.
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