“We Don’t Need No Education”

Jim Gordon at BossHatch.com has a contest that I find to be intriguing, as I am a huge advocate for education. Take a moment and join in on the fun. You never know, you may win a prize as you share your opinion on a great topic.

Here is my view on the topic of higher education..

higher education
–noun

education beyond high school, specifically that provided by colleges and graduate schools, and professional schools.

Also called higher learning.

[Origin: 1865–70]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

In my opinion higher education is not synonomous with college, although that has been the accepted definition for many years and the vision for the majority of our society. There was a time in our history that a college path made sense with the economy and work force, but times have greatly changed and opportunity does not fit the same mold.

I have a college degree. I did learn some useful things in college, but my overall education there was predominately based on the opinion and agenda of the individual teacher/professor than on the actual practical knowledge for the area I was being "educated" for. The true nature and knowledge that I have today, in regard to the area I studied, came when I entered the field, not from the information I acquired in the classroom - with the exception of an approach taught by one of my college professors. She was the only one who did not teach from the accepted institutional approach. She helped me think beyond the accepted norm. Her approach was controversial then, and I think would still be in most schools today - because they put techniques to question and most people do not want to question or be questioned.

I found that creative, critical or entrepreneurial thinking was quickly
squelched, as if it were a threat to the overall good of society. Thinking outside of the predetermined box of the "more learned" was looked down upon and actually penalized at times.

College is an option. It is not always the most appropriate, nor the most financially responsible one. We have raised our children seek the education that best suits their plans for career or business endeavors. Self
education, community college, university, apprenticeships, trade school, travel... the whole world is a classroom.

If our focus is limited to the institutional classroom and the letters that are behind the teachers name, we have done a disservice to the experts the live next door, down the road or across the ocean and, more importantly, to ourselves.

There are many book smart teachers who are inadequate in the ability to teach. They have tested through and earned a degree, but they are unable to regurgitate the information in a useful way. I have found that many have an agenda which becomes the focus of their energy, rather than the neutrality of knowledge for knowledge sake, or information helpful for a career path. Because of their degrees, they are held in high esteem and labeled as expert, yet they are substandard in offering usable knowledge.

I believe that most people are not prepared for being an entrepreneur right out of high school because they have not been taught or allowed to think creatively. With predetermined "scope and sequences" that are limiting, and the huge push to teach for the state required testing, most opportunities to learn skills and critical thinking that benefit those who are entrepreneurial driven, or desirous, are hindered or out right stopped. There are a few who will overcome the system and still retain their natural
curiosity and drive, but they are the minority.

I have seen the most creative individuals drop out of schools (high school or college) because they do not learn in the same way the schools present information. Many entrepreneurs seem to be kinesthetic learners and movement allows them to process, create and complete things. Our schools are not equipped to allow such styles. Sit still, pay attention, stay within the lines. Crowd control needs interfere with physical needs of many students.

Higher education should be conducive to learning that allows thought processes and experimentation that supports failing forward, since failure that leads to success is amazing and the basis of most inventions. We need to learn how to overcome obstacles and encourage thinking processes that allow knowledge that goes beyond the 9 - 5 beliefs. There is a place for corporate America but it is not the begin all and end all of success, in fact, for many it is the antithesis of it.

So, I support higher education, but I do not support an automatic acceptance that higher education is best achieved in institutional settings. I believe that each individual should seek the options that are available to achieve the end result that they desire. Which ever mode or manner that best equips them to be successful in acquisition of necessary knowledge and required certification is the path that is ideal for them.

Higher education is about continual learning. May it never end until the final breath you take.