RE: Focusing on the learning rather than on the teaching

[Miller Charles L SSSD <MillerCL@SUPSHIP.NAVY.MIL>]

    The child learns that they are not considered gifted or talented as part
of our social ritual for teaching children.

    A system is defined by the system it is part of.  What system is our
educational system a part of???

    We predict the outcome based upon what we learn from a system that only
helps 20 percent of our children to be successful.
  
    It would be good to have a theory, such as what you explain.  What would
be the improvement side of this issue?
Agreeing on what the larger system is that the educational system is a part
of would be a start.

    It is true that we need operational definitions.  They will come in
time.

    Once we agree on what the larger system is, we discover the aim of the
larger system.

    About now we ask ourselves to design the ideal educational system that
would be and ideal fit for the larger system it is a part of and that will
totally support the aim of the larger system.  We have no restrictions on
what to put into this new system.

    Looking at this may surprise us.  The system we have is probability
doing a good job of supporting the aim of the larger system.  
    The larger system is mostly blind unto it's self and can only reflect
that which is fed into it by it's customers and consumers or other
outsiders.  Based on hidden agendas and best of intentions, managers get
narrow focused for many years.  Hence the beginning of the convoluted larger
system.

    Are we able to deal with and to adjust our aim towards the pursuit of a,
"Knowledge Society" (author: Peter Drucker)???

    We have brilliant people in this country and throughout the world.  Are
they secure enough to lead us in restructuring our economical and social
goals?  

    Dr. Deming (as I understand his comments) regretted the short term focus
on profit.  The simple change to more focus on long term profit, would have
to come from strong leadership.

    How would that affect our ability to have as many self made monetarily
successful people?  I do not know.

    I do know that Johari* (Psychologist) along with many others gave us the
information that we can not define ourselves by using ourselves alone.  We
need the help of others(outsiders).

  Respectfully,
  Charlie
  millercl@supship.navy.mil
   
* If I may correct Charlie - there is a group dynamics tool called the Johari Window that does
a great job of defining ourselves as Charlie notes.  The Johari Window was named by its
creators Joe Luft and Harry Ingram - Joe + Harry  One decent web link is:
http://www.noogenesis.com/game_theory/johari/johari_window.html