Libertarian Nonsense
The introduction where you speak of the government dumbing us down by making the world a bit safer for our children is insulting and unnecessary. The implication that we would be better critical thinkers without safety standards is just silly. If I hit my head on an exposed bolt as a child, I wouldn't be any kind of thinker.
John,
I support your opinion on the greatness of this county and the opportunities we have as citizens. This is why we need to help as much as we can to develop the next generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers so we can continue to offer a future to our youth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sir, I thought your introduction was very insightful and helpful to really apply this topic to education. Furthermore, in the section on discipline I have been concerned about the standardized tests and the 2d order of effects. Time has become an 'enemy' of sorts and it is difficult to implement much of a Socratic approach in the classroom. I personally would like to see more education related decisions kept at the state and local levels. Bottomline, you are correct in your statement about each having their own opinion of how critical thinking is developed, unfortunately the less freedoms individuals have, the less need for critical thinking...I'm very glad for what we were given in this great country...especially as we are preparing for Veteran's Day weekend!
Kodee,
Like your example a lot because it is dead on. By removing a lot of decision making from childhood experiences our adult students find comfort in being given formulas to do everything. Based upon personal experience I did try the hot metal slide once but after that I had the knowledge and well as blisters to never make that mistake again. Problem solving is based upon common sense which seems to be lacking in the lives of many of our students today. The more we can help them to take a logical and reflective look at situations the better prepared they are going to be when they graduate.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As a child on the playground before new safety standards were implemented, we all had to come to a judgement on whether to try the hot metal slide or not. We came to this decision through critical thinking. It made for a strong foundation in playground strategy. We started to develop the same thinking patterns for the monkey bars and jungle gym. Our skills for anylyzing the hot metal equipment were honed. Then here comes the government, dumbing us down with plastic slides, and woodchip floors to coddle our unthinking heads when we fall.
Edward,
Each has their own opinion about how critical thinking is developed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
