Are we teaching the right things, to the right people, in the right way?

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Recommended: Benefits of Education

Education, we hear that word quite frequently but what does it mean? Miriam Webster’s Dictionary defines education as “the knowledge and development resulting from an educational process”. Everyone needs some education to be a success in life. The amount and types of education can vary but we all need the basics of reading, writing and math to be successful in life, and to be professional in the workplace. I see education as a step to success in the future. Education ideally results in effective communication, and a successful professional life. We have alternate ways of learning, and new things to learn as a result of technology.

We must be educated to communicate in a professional way. Mr. Kohn states in the article that his wife is a successful, well educated doctor, but that she tends to struggle with proper grammar. Although she probably is a wonderful physician it can sometimes come off as careless when someone in a position of authority makes simple grammar mistakes in conversation. These small grammatical mistakes can seem trivial, and everyone makes mistakes from time to time. Even so, numerous small mistakes can be very distracting to someone who is trying to listen. Everyone needs to take English (or the language of their country) to be professional.

Society needs people who are successful at what they do as a result of their education. From doctors to teachers to secretaries to plumbers, we see different levels of education and different types of schooling, but all are professions society needs to function properly. All of these people are educated in that they know how to do their job. Mr. Kohn makes the point that “It would be a mistake to reduce schooling to vocational preparation, if only becau...

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...kills provide a starting point for higher education or other training. I

In conclusion, I think that we should replace Mr. Kohn’s question “What does it mean to be well educated?” with a more specific question “Are we teaching the right things, to the right people, in the right way?” I am still a student, and I have so much to learn, but as I go through life after college, I truly hope that I continue to learn and that I can share what I know with others. I like the Webster’s Dictionary definition of education as “the knowledge and development resulting from an educational process” It seems to be a loose definition, but I think it is very appropriate. The words “educational process” makes me think more of training than of schooling. I believe the main goal of education should be to train us for the life ahead weather that means fifty years or five minutes.

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