Bring on the Learning Revolution

Ah, the Great Sir Ken Robinson. I have watched his 2006 TED talk videos in both my AP Lang and Comp and AP Econ classes to spark discussion about creativity, norms, resources, and a variety of other subjects.

If I had the time and the resources to study whatever I wanted, I would have to Literature, specializing in Mysteries. I love to read and mysteries are my favorite genre, have been for as long as I can remember. I have a literature class now at Gainesville State where most of the class is spent discussing Literature and it is by far, one my favorite classes. I am also reading the newest installment of one of my favorite mystery author's, Louise Penny, series, The Beautiful Mystery. Had I the time and the resources to do nothing but the aforementioned, I would be a happy girl.

I tend to think Attitude has more influence over a person and their learning. For example, at 6'2", I have the aptitude to be very good at a variety of sports. My attitude, however, rules out that possibility  (Basketball and I do not get along.) In addition to this, the phrase, "You can do anything you set your mind to" also comes to mind. It also seems to suggest that Attitude has more of an effect than Aptitude.

This class has brought to my attention my time management skills. I have always thought that I managed my time well, until now. There have been so many close calls and, quite frankly, failures, in this area, it has proven to be quite a 'quiz' for which I am grateful to have taken before my 'test' next year in college. 

I purposely skipped over the issue of the grading system and wrote about it last. 

I think that the current grading system needs to be changed. I don't know that it needs to be abolished necessarily but, something does need to happen. I come to this belief by the logic and reason below.

In his TED talk, Robinson refers to the education system needing not evolution but, a Revolution. With his theory, he is correct. However, History tells us that Revolutions tend to be bloody and messy and some one always loses. One would have to be very naive to believe that during the course of the education Revolution students won't get 'hurt.' 

Going back to the original question, something does need to happen to the current grading system. Being only a student and not having the experiences of a teacher, I cannot reasonably devise a system that is fair to both parties. What I can devise is this, whatever Revolution that comes to pass should take an evolutionary path. Many would say that means it not a revolution anymore but, an evolution which, is what we're trying to get away from. Well, I would like to convert the whole human race to Christianity but that's going to take some steps, now isn't it?

On a very different but, I feel related, note. I was in my Communications class Monday. In it, we discussing listening. The average person listens on a 25% comprehension level. An above average person listens on a 40-50% comprehension level. The best listeners listen on a 60% comprehension level. To those of us who thought we were pretty good listeners and gave ourselves an 80% comprehension level, this was a nice kick in the teeth. 

My professor went on to say that of the four main parts of Communication, we take classes for writing, (Lang and Comp), reading, (English Lit II), speaking, (Intro to Comm), but we don't take any sort of class for listening.

She was right which, isn't shocking but, so much of our lives has to do with Communication and listening, why don't we have classes for like the others?

It's these sort of classes that need to be included in the Revolution of education and, if I have anything to say about it, they sure will be.