I found the idea of weekly talks from local workers and professionals an excellent idea. Students often choose a career based solely on their primary abilities or interests, not realizing the specific work requirements behind that dream job. For example, when my boyfriend began college to receive a degree in police science, he was dismayed at the amount of paperwork, re-certifications, and extra training classes that have to be done as a police officer. Introducing students to those already in their future fields will show students the importance of schooling and writing abilities and will help them determine if they are making the correct career choice.
One thing that concerned me and was discussed later in the chapter is the future role of literature in the classroom. How can classical writings be adapted to fulfill the eight skills Friedman claims are needed for the new middle class? Will literature even be relevant for those skills? I view literature as a way to connect the past and the present and a means to show the universality of humanity. Personal issues, emotions, and intrigues have changed very little over the centuries, and I believe that students can relate to literature as much today as when it was written. However, synthesizing, going green, and using global resources for local solutions do not seem relevant to literature. While I agree that students must be taught to communicate and compete in our growing global job market, I fear that a desire for skilled work machines will remove the content of personal creative learning and reading from our schools.
No comments:
Post a Comment