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| We are still enacting Horace Mann's Prusian schooling model from the 1800s |
Most students, and many of their parents, will agree that school has taken the fun and purpose out of learning. We have lost touch with the understanding that learning is a natural process. Those who’ve studied the history of compulsory schooling understand that education was never the priority in the current “school for all model.” Policymakers like Horace Mann (Massachusetts, 1952 - credited as Father of the Common School Movement) believed that “universal public education was the best way to turn the nation's unruly children into disciplined, judicious republican citizens”. This model was begun at a time when resources, such as books and educated mentors were not readily available.
"If you want to influence the student at all, you must do more than merely talk to him; you must fashion him, and fashion him in such a way that he simply cannot will otherwise than what you wish him to will."- Horace MannNow, with the Internet, a mentor does not need to be in the same room, the same city or even speak the same language. Libraries are found in every community for those who still find that they learn best from print resources.
For the sake of the students, we, the adults, must let go of learning models that are familiar. We must develop systems with a purpose of learning for the future. We must allow change to happen. Not small slow change, but change which allows students to prepare for the 21st century which is NOW. We must strive for a system that allows our societies, communities, regions and countries to regain their competitive edge. The ability to change, rapidly, to the needs of the people and the environment is what made North America great. But, we can not dwell on past glories. We need to continue to change and to move on. Let this Big Change begin with today’s students.
Here’s how.