#4 To question everything
We go to school believing that if something is written in a textbook, then it absolutely must be true.
It is understandable that this viewpoint is encouraged from an early age: students must believe in the integrity of what they are learning in order to take it seriously.
But is this the right approach in a rapidly changing world, where young people need to be better problem solvers and critical thinkers than any other generation before them?
Sometimes the concepts contained in school textbooks are simplified so much (to make them accessible) that they become completely different to the truth.
A classic example is an atomic structure. We’re all taught that an atom looks like the classic ‘Bohr Model’, with electrons orbiting a central nucleus in concentric circles:
But did you know that this model of the atom was actually rejected in 1925? Yet it is still taught to this day in high school chemistry courses.
Perhaps a research-based approach is best for today’s learners and gadget-savvy whiz kids. Is it really necessary to simplify everything? Is it wrong for students to learn the truth about atomic structure (and other topics) even though the knowledge may be advanced and considered ‘above the level of their age group’?
Shouldn’t we be challenging students to accept nothing until enough evidence suggests the theory as being the truth?
Article continues on next page…
Introduction
#1 How to manage money
#2 How to manage emotions (especially worrying)
#3: The importance of a healthy lifestyle
#4 To question everything
#5: To respect other peoples’ rights to an opinion
#6 To value creative arts
#7 To respect the natural environment
#8 Public speaking
#9 Manners and etiquette
#10: How to teach themselves
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