How to avoid meaningful dialog or "Why Obama is like Hitler"

[TeamFoster]

LOL it's obvious that critical thinking 101 is not taught in our schools. I wonder why?

[jps-teacher]

Originally Posted by TeamFoster

LOL it's obvious that critical thinking 101 is not taught in our schools. I wonder why?

Well, I heard that the good guys tried to include it but the other side got in the way, fearing that a more thoughtful electorate would more often go against their goals.

And you can see that they are getting their way! They are sooooo insidious when it comes to the education system.

They also make sure to control which books are accepted and even published with the history told the way they want it told, to make their side look even better in the minds of the young impressionable minds of the kids!

One person said to me "The day the kids start learning to think for themselves is the day public schools die! We can't let them do that!"

[TeamFoster]

"They?"
Anyway, lucky for me, my favorite history teacher (during the dark ages) had a thing about indoctrination and thinking for oneself. But I have to say even then critical thinking and argument weren't taught until college.

"The day the kids start learning to think for themselves is the day public schools die! We can't let them do that!"

What a scary quote! However, I can see the wisdom of it, because while on the one hand I wanted my kids to think for themselves....There was just too much potential for trouble. Now they are little sheep who do everything I tell them. (Don't tell them I said that.) Seriously there are too many schools in this country that have failed to teach the basics much less anything remotely requiring true thought. That is the great tragedy of our time.

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by jps-teacher

One person said to me "The day the kids start learning to think for themselves is the day public schools die! We can't let them do that!"

It should come as no surprise that the modern American education system is much more about teaching children what to think than how to think.

After all, if you were a ruler of a land, what would be easier to rule over and maintain control of, an engaged, aware, rational and thoughtful population of curious people or a land filled with dullards that lack curiosity, adjoin in apathy and aspire to mere self gratification?

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by TnHilltopper

It should come as no surprise that the modern American education system is much more about teaching children what to think than how to think.

After all, if you were a ruler of a land, what would be easier to rule over and maintain control of, an engaged, aware, rational and thoughtful population of curious people or a land filled with dullards that lack curiosity, adjoin in apathy and aspire to mere self gratification?

That's true. I read somewhere (I wonder if I have this article stashed anywhere--I'll look) that the modern school system was in fact designed to build future "servers". In other words, the masses in our (as almost every) culture are made up of people who aren't rich, aren't incredibly influential, etc. So we are trained to respond to authority in a certain way in case we're called upon; for example, in case there is war, etc.

That doesn't mean the school system is all bad. I LOVE it when we get a really inspired teacher. And it does happen. This year is a good year. I LOVE Colin's teacher. She is pure genius with the children and manages to let them express themselves while still adhering to the school-issued curriculum. This is hard to do.

Whenever I come across a teacher who really loves what he or she does and loves to watch children's minds and ideas develop, I make mention of it to the teacher. I think they need to know that they are making a difference.