Education is such a broad field as there are so many educational paths to take to become successful in a particular field. Common knowledge says that the education we’ve experienced in elementary school have helped prepare us for middle school. The same thing applies for entry to high school from middle school. These events from the three different classifications of schools help students to build social skills, motor skills, and problem solving skills such as basic math, which is needed to solve everyday finances for example. Those are the basic experiences students will undergo during their childhood and teenage years.
The World Book Dictionary defines education as “the development of knowledge, skill, and ability, or character by teaching, training, study, or experience” (670). We often gain knowledge by reading books, doing researches, and listening to teacher’s lectures. All these methods are a part of the educational experience. Acquiring an ability and skill comes from practicing certain methods such as writing research papers, writing essays, solving mathematical problems, or analyzing case studies, just to name a few. Or in the case of trades school, practicing hands-on on careers such as Carpentry, Welding, or Auto Mechanics etc. Our character can be developed in some ways. I feel that by pursuing a higher education we become more mature mentally and spiritually. By working with fellow classmates and instructors, a person’s character can be developed from practicing communication skills and working in teams. Communication skills and team working skills are essential in today’s job market.
During people’s academic careers, they will often run into some difficulty and ask for the teacher’s assistance or go see a tutor. Getting help from others is an important factor in ones educational experience. Without help one may not succeed and the results will be different than originally expected. For example, during my years in high school, I was failing some science courses just before mid-term time and I did not seek help until a few weeks before the final exams. I did not seek help at mid-term time because at the time I did not care about school nor did I want to spend long hours studying. But eventually I got help from some tutors and I ended up passing the course. If I did fail those science courses, I would’ve had to repeat them and there would have been setbacks. But from this experience, I learned that science is not my academic strength thus I will never major in any science field. Whether you have a positive or negative experience, one will always learn something from it.
John Dewey, an American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer says that the experience of education will give people the skill and knowledge for life-long learning and as well as status in society. He also mentions that schools were meant to give people ways to develop thinking strategies for themselves so that they can analyze and solve problems on their own, both present time and in the future (Article II, My Pedagogical Creed). Dewey quotes: "I believe...that education must be conceived as a continuing reconstruction of experience; that the process and the goal of education are one and the same thing" (Article III, My Pedagogical Creed). My interpretation on this quote is that an individual’s education must be viewed as an experience that is ongoing and continuously changing; that is to continually cycle through different experiences.
Dewey has provided me with some good insight on the experience of education. My conclusion is that during one’s academic career, they will gain the experience, skill, and ability to think practically, independently, and critically. These skills are crucial in life, as they will help people analyze and solve different situations. These skills should not be overlooked and should not be taken for granted. We must appreciate the world around us and be thankful for what education has provided us. Without education, we may not be able to do everyday things such as calculating our expenses, thinking logically, and interpreting one’s idea, etc. I believe that in life, all people to some extent are committed to life-long learning. Everyday we go through an experience such as studying at school, helping out in the community, or being a good Samaritan. For every experience we gain, we use that experience to gain another experience.
Works Cited
Barnhart, Clarence L., & Robert K. Barnhart, eds. The World Book Dictionary: Volume one A-K. Chicago, IL: World Book Inc., 1993.
Dewey, John. “My Pedagogic Creed”. The School Journal 54, no.3, 16 January 1897: 77 – 80.
