Submitted by Xelan Bonn (not verified) on September 28, 2007 - 14:10.
I have always been an advocate for better ways of learning and teaching and I feel America should always be the cutting-edge example and world benchmark in this realm. Toward that lofty goal, I think this program does its part in helping and I wish we had more programs like it.
I would challenge all innovators to re-think education from a whole new perspective – from the point of view and passion of the end-user – the student turned worker or contributor to society.
If I were designing a new system, it I’d like to see work programs integrated with education. The student first chooses their profession, secures part-time student employment in that profession, then embarks on a suitable education tailored around the full progression of such a career. Tax and other incentives should help us re-design the workplace to accommodate such innovative learning systems for their own benefit as well. The goal is to create an experience and educated student, one with wisdom and understanding both, that feels passionate about their profession or work.
Building on that end-game, we should then support a front-end solution in learning that seeks to expose the student to as many possibilities and potentials as may be feasible, ever expanding the student’s mind until they are hooked by their passionate future. We should not be building robots, but rather beings that can fully express their passions in their work and life as much as possible, toward not only enriching the student, but the world.
The challenge is to bring these concepts to forefront of learning and redirect our energies toward a more synergistic world, whereby commerce and industriousness are blended with passion, enthusiasm, and greater respect for applied learning, an environment which allows the very best in us to emerge and grow our world in ways never before dreamed of – for who would you prefer to drill your teeth – the passionate dentist who cares and has been mentored for many years, or the one that wanted to be something else and begrudges his or her parents, profession, and even patients?
Passion is the untapped magic in all of us. It is like a magical dust that permeates all we embody and pursue and when all else fails us, it is what affords us the greatest perseverance toward achieving miracles and leaps in knowledge – it keeps us going when all is lost.
Under its heated flame, passion begets perseverance, and perseverance begets success, the student transforms into experts, eventually coming full circle to transition into mentors, in great display of their attainments and humanity – for teaching fills the mentor’s otherwise indescribable void to the brim when it appears to the mentor that all that could have been learned has been learned – the flame mellows but shines - and yet the mentor is proven wrong and finds new learning in teaching others, new knowledge coming from those he or she inspired – for they will improve upon it – their passion demands it.
If we can redesign learning and work systems so that we tap into the passion treasures of our new young minds, we can materialized a great new world that celebrates our maximum potential as the inhabitants of this tiny blue planet. This program is a great step toward that wondrous tomorrow. For I, like Mr. Lucas, believe that if we invest in our students, the rest will take care of itself.
I would challenge all readers to do what they can in helping progress and blossom this excellent program.
Xelan Bonn
President
Patriot Union of America
www.patriotunion.org
Innovative Education
Submitted by Xelan Bonn (not verified) on September 28, 2007 - 14:10.
I have always been an advocate for better ways of learning and teaching and I feel America should always be the cutting-edge example and world benchmark in this realm. Toward that lofty goal, I think this program does its part in helping and I wish we had more programs like it.
I would challenge all innovators to re-think education from a whole new perspective – from the point of view and passion of the end-user – the student turned worker or contributor to society.
If I were designing a new system, it I’d like to see work programs integrated with education. The student first chooses their profession, secures part-time student employment in that profession, then embarks on a suitable education tailored around the full progression of such a career. Tax and other incentives should help us re-design the workplace to accommodate such innovative learning systems for their own benefit as well. The goal is to create an experience and educated student, one with wisdom and understanding both, that feels passionate about their profession or work.
Building on that end-game, we should then support a front-end solution in learning that seeks to expose the student to as many possibilities and potentials as may be feasible, ever expanding the student’s mind until they are hooked by their passionate future. We should not be building robots, but rather beings that can fully express their passions in their work and life as much as possible, toward not only enriching the student, but the world.
The challenge is to bring these concepts to forefront of learning and redirect our energies toward a more synergistic world, whereby commerce and industriousness are blended with passion, enthusiasm, and greater respect for applied learning, an environment which allows the very best in us to emerge and grow our world in ways never before dreamed of – for who would you prefer to drill your teeth – the passionate dentist who cares and has been mentored for many years, or the one that wanted to be something else and begrudges his or her parents, profession, and even patients?
Passion is the untapped magic in all of us. It is like a magical dust that permeates all we embody and pursue and when all else fails us, it is what affords us the greatest perseverance toward achieving miracles and leaps in knowledge – it keeps us going when all is lost.
Under its heated flame, passion begets perseverance, and perseverance begets success, the student transforms into experts, eventually coming full circle to transition into mentors, in great display of their attainments and humanity – for teaching fills the mentor’s otherwise indescribable void to the brim when it appears to the mentor that all that could have been learned has been learned – the flame mellows but shines - and yet the mentor is proven wrong and finds new learning in teaching others, new knowledge coming from those he or she inspired – for they will improve upon it – their passion demands it.
If we can redesign learning and work systems so that we tap into the passion treasures of our new young minds, we can materialized a great new world that celebrates our maximum potential as the inhabitants of this tiny blue planet. This program is a great step toward that wondrous tomorrow. For I, like Mr. Lucas, believe that if we invest in our students, the rest will take care of itself.
I would challenge all readers to do what they can in helping progress and blossom this excellent program.
Xelan Bonn
President
Patriot Union of America
www.patriotunion.org