Re: Education Philosophy

["Debora Ruel" <debora.ruel@btinternet.com>]

After reading the comments on this subject matter, I have been inspired to
reply -- for the sheer fun of it.   This past spring I enrolled in a course
titled, "Hidden Cultures in Cambridge," to fulfill an "international
perspective" requirement.  The professor wanted us to keep a detailed
journal of our experience in Cambridge (England) during four weekends.
Besides frequent historical and philosophical lectures, we visited many
colleges, museums, churches, parks, restaurants, etc., all relating to
Cambridge from its beginning to present day.  We were free to write in our
journals anything we wanted.  I wrote whatever came to mind, historical or
not, for I was given FREEDOM!  Not only did I learn through an immense
literal hands-on study of the history and cultures of Cambridge, but I
learned much about myself and how I perceive, and will relate to, the world.
That brings me to two excerpts from my journal:

            "[The professor] explains the difference between an educator and
an instructor.  Is there a measurable difference?  What 'stick' measures it?
The difference is an educator leads the person out to development, to his or
her self.  An instructor puts structure in, molds the person to a certain
recipe.  I like this.  I must always remember this as I parent."


            "I like what Russell wrote in his _Autobiography_ when he
entered Trinity: "... that I could say things that I thought, and be
answered with neither horror nor derision, but as if I had said something
quite sensible, was intoxication."  (_Cambridge Minds_, edited by Richard
Mason.)"


Are we educating our students and children, or are we instructing?  If not
educating, is it because it takes time and attention that we are not
prepared or willing to give?  Do we want to lead AND manage at the same
time, or should we lead and let those being led manage in their own way,
perhaps bypassing us on the way?  Wouldn't their continuous self-confidence
be intrinsic motivation?  Are we teaching them to depend on us for gold
stars, when we should be teaching them to depend on themselves to go for the
gold stars THEY DESIRE?

Debbi Ruel
debora.ruel@btinternet.com
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