As humans, we acquire ideas by going through various experiences over the lifespan. Our ideas are important because we associate our ideas with the things that mean a lot to us.
James states "So you see that the process of education, taken in a large way, may be described as nothing but the process of acquiring ideas or conceptions, the best educated mind being the mind which has the largest stock to them, ready to meet the largest possible variety of the emergencies of life" (pg. 71-72). In education, we are trained from K-12 that we should acquire lots of ideas. The ideas and concepts that are learned in the first grade are concepts that will prepare the child for the second grade. Each year builds upon another year. By the time a child reaches 12th grade, they will have acquired many ideas from all of the learning that they have received. As time goes on, the child is able to use those ideas so that they can decide whether they want to attend college or not. The more a child learns, the more they are able to connect their ideas with the things that they have learned previously.
James speaks about the acquisition of ideas in his book. In education, how can we make sure that our ideas are fully formed so that we can begin to process new ideas?
No comments:
Post a Comment