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Defining the Term

Poem: “The Glove and the Lions” by  Leigh Hunt

Statement of the Whole: If we are going to have much of a conversation about education (and we intend to have a really long one) then we need to define the idea of an education first.  In this episode we consider several possible ways to approach the defining of education before settling on our own definition.

1. Introduction –
   1. Education is something we all do – parenting, workplace skills and vision, citizenry, church, even little kids teach each other to play games…
   2. It is hard to define something so common, but we have to if we are going to talk seriously about it.
   3. What is education?
2. A Brief History of Education
   1. Prior to about 1850, it is hard find anyone who would not agree with this basic definition: Education is the cultivation of wisdom and virtue.  They might argue the details, but that is the basic definition in every book available on the subject.
   2. But since then, it has become much more political.
      1. Horace Mann felt education could empty our prisons, or the lack thereof fill them up: “Jails and prisons are the complement of schools; so many less as you have of the latter, so many more must you have of the former.” — As quoted in Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1881)
      2. John Dewey reduced education to a set of useful skills for living well with others and something that was very personal, experiential, and not to be tied to any common beliefs but determined by each student.
      3. Slowly, historical reading on education shows a shift from viewing education as an art (something we learn how to do) to a science (something we learn about).
         1. This has resulted in any number of changes, but one to focus on is the taking of education off the back porch: the specialization of education into something only trained licensed professionals should attempt.
         2. This podcast believes this is bad for education, and that rather education is…
            1. more simple than complex
            2. more common that specialized
            3. based on a few easy principles, not something you need an advanced degree to even attempt.
   3. Our Definition – “The cultivation of wisdom and virtue.”
      1. Why cultivating? Why not forming, or making, or some such term of production?
      2. How? We can’t get to the practice of education without first understanding the purpose of education.

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The “Facing Forward” Episode

Poem: “What Fifty Said” by Robert Frost

Statement of the Whole: Some in education believe the old folks should get out of the way of the new wave in education.  Others believe that innovation and “the new” are what is damaging education.  How do the various generations participate in education without killing each other?

1. Every generation questions what the previous generation has done, thereby creating new conversations
   1. What is eternal or timeless about teaching?
   2. What aspects of education are time specific, or tied to the times?
   3. What is a truly gifted teacher? With new ways of reaching students, it would seem that the best teachers should gain the “market share” — what do those teachers share in common?
2. What mind frame will best embrace the new without losing what it means to educate?
   1. How is one faithful to his tradition in a changing time?
   2. How do you wisely choose technology when it is new and the consequences unknown?
3. What creative solutions/revolutions are already beginning to take hold as viable alternatives for the typical school model? What else might show up? Which should educators support?

Next Time:  What is Education?  If we are going to discuss it on the Backporch, shouldn’t we define it?