What do you understand by education as a process
Answers
SHORT:
Education is the process of imparting knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, customs and traditions. It is a process carried out by the whole community.
LONG:
Like most similar topics, there is not one right answer, but I hope it helps answer this very relevant discussion question. The following quote by Friedenberg (1959) is as relevant today as it was when it was written:
“Teaching, unlike learning, can be industrialized and mechanized; it can be controlled, scheduled, timed, measured, and observed. But teaching is at most an input to the learning process, not an output. Nevertheless, our current educational system operates as though an ounce of teaching produces at least an ounce of learning. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Therefore, Systems Age education should focus on the learning process, not the teaching process. Learning outside of school is not organized into subjects, semesters, courses, or other discrete units. A child's learning of a language, for example, ample, is not separated from its learning of other subjects but is intimately bound up with it. A child learns a great deal without any concept of subjects and disciplines, and without being pushed into learning by examinations and grades. One might argue that this is only true for things the child wants to learn. But school, one might continue, must teach a child.”
In most schools, students are taught what the system says they need to know rather than what is relevant and of concern to them. Instead of asking questions, students are taught to just answer what is asked. This hinders the development of creativity and character, but encourages conformity. In less formal schools, students thrive when they give a correct response to a question even though it is not what was expected. They are encouraged to ask questions or to find the answers themselves. This helps develop independent thinking
Education has been reduced to discrete, often unrelated parts in the form of: curricula, grades, subjects, courses, and lessons. The long term effect is that as an adult, most of what we learned is forgotten. We learn more by doing a task that hearing lectures on how to do it. Keep in mind that those of us who went to professional school, had to go through a practicum, an internship, or a residency before independently practicing. Most of what is used is learned outside of school.
Formal education can hinder a complete learning process. Informal (or open) educational settings have been said to hurt learning basic skills needed for any advanced work. While that is possible, it is the system of education that needs to change which will deal with those criticisms.
It is also important to understand that what is needed by today’s students might look very different in the future. Educational systems need to be and remain flexible. Teachers might function best as facilitators while students learn what is relevant to them, not just to learn what is needed on a test. Memorization is not always learning. The outcome of learning is being able to use the information and skills effectively and creatively. Please look at the Waters Foundation’s site. (watersfoundation . org)