How traditional schooling kills your individuality in 7 ways and 5 solutions to get it back
Once upon a time a man…
His name is Taylor Gatto. He’s a critical examination of the American schooling system. He wrote this eye-opening book titled "Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling"
Gatto, a former teacher, argues that the current education system does not foster independent thought or personal growth but instead aims to create conformist individuals who do not question the status quo. Here are the seven lessons or principles he suggests are taught by the school system, often referred to as the "Seven-Lesson Schoolteacher":
Confusion: Schools mix too many subjects, and their disconnected facts promote confusion rather than coherent understanding.
Class Position: Students are taught to stay in the class where they belong, reinforcing a fixed view of social hierarchy.
Indifference: The bell-driven school schedule teaches students not to care deeply about any particular topic, as they'll soon have to drop whatever they're doing and move on to something else.
Emotional Dependency: Grades and other external rewards undermine intrinsic motivation, leading students to depend on external validation which kills their creativity and individuality.
Intellectual Dependency: Students are taught to wait for the teacher to provide answers, discouraging intellectual exploration and self-reliance.
Provisional Self-Esteem: Schools use constant assessments to judge students, tying their self-worth to grades and performance rather than intrinsic qualities.
Surveillance: By being constantly monitored, students learn that they are always being watched, which can inhibit genuine learning and creativity.
Solutions?
Addressing the issues raised in John Taylor Gatto's "Dumbing Us Down" requires a holistic approach to reforming educational practices. Here are five potential solutions that can help counteract the negative effects of the current educational system:
Promote Critical Thinking and Interdisciplinary Learning: Instead of teaching subjects in isolation, curriculums should integrate subjects to show their interconnectedness and relevance to real-world problems. This approach encourages critical thinking and helps students make meaningful connections between different areas of knowledge.
Personalized Learning Paths: Allow students to have a say in their learning process by encouraging customized educational trajectories. This can involve choice in projects, subjects of deep dive, and even the pace at which they learn. Such customization fosters intrinsic motivation and respects individual interests and talents.
Foster Intrinsic Motivation: Move away from grades and extrinsic rewards as the primary motivation for learning. Instead, focus on creating a learning environment that stimulates curiosity and a love for learning for its own sake. This could involve project-based learning, where students work on projects that interest them and have practical applications.
Develop Emotional and Social Intelligence: Integrate a curriculum that focuses on emotional well-being, empathy, teamwork, and social skills. Schools should provide environments where students can learn conflict resolution, understand the value of cooperation, and build a sense of community.
Encourage Autonomy and Responsibility: Give students more autonomy over their learning and the responsibility that comes with it. This can be achieved through democratic schools or classrooms where students have a say in school policies, the subjects they study, and the evaluation methods. Such environments help students feel empowered and take ownership of their education.
