What is Education for?

[Strontium Dog]

Open prisons for children.

[pErvinalia]

I think a focus on rote learning vs critical thinking is a big problem in education.

There are a few things, such as the times tables, that simply require rote learning. Other skills require some pretty rigorous and repetitive practice, which although not rote learning, are regarded with suspicion by a certain group of progressive educationalists. My view is that a balanced combination of those elements with critical thinking and problem solving is to be desired...

I actually meant to write - learning of facts (which will include some rote learning) vs critical thinking. Some facts and some rote learning will be necessary, but I think there's a decided lack of critical thinking skills taught in school.

[JimC]

Open prisons for children.

And no time off for good behaviour...

[Rum]

Day care for worker drone parents is not to be underestimated.

[Svartalf]

I think a focus on rote learning vs critical thinking is a big problem in education.

dunno, I always had critical thinking, even when I did not yet know what it was.

[cronus]

Smart enough to operate the machines, not smart enough to question the absence of pay rises for a decade. What the government wants the government gets.