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Making Schools Cool (1680 hits)

I came across this topic above in the E-News called ROOTS. I found the responds to be very interesting and thought it would be a great discussion here. I've enclosed my responds below and look forward to what others have to say.

What is apparent to me in over 30 years in education, that children respond to those who demonstrate a sincere interest in their well being. Time and attention with a child are the overwhelming factors in determining academic success. Children, just as adults, blossom or withdraw based on the type of exposure to real life experiences. Good and bad experiences have an impact on our psyche, which affects how we are or react to life in general.
If the parents of children have had a poor education or low economic status in life, their social skills and family structure can suffer immensely, establishing a cultural environment within the home that is detrimental to upward mobility.

Of course this is not true with all who coming from an impoverished background. We all compare and contrast ourselves to others. Some take the initiative that they want to get out of a bad situation and will do what is necessary in order to make this happen legally and illegally.
Children observe those with an education using their ability to help themselves and family as well as abuse others through the process of manipulation and exploitation.

So assessing the need for a good education is based on the need of the individual. Are we training or educating inner city children to be well informed and enlightened for the purpose of protecting them from wealthy and influential capitalist who thrive on the ignorance of others or opening their eyes to a life of potential in a world designed for greed, self indulgence, fear and deception.

It appears to me that a cool school is radical in nature. One that teaches students the concept of free thought and collective human interest and concern. Sort of how a gifted student thinks.
What are your thoughts?

Posted By: Dr. Okpara Nosakhere
Thursday, August 6th 2009 at 3:39PM
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Okpara,
I agree with what you've said. I have the same concerns and am hoping you can help me understand better the situation with respect to use of the Internet in the goals you set forth, and it's availability both in school, but also in the home.
Friday, August 7th 2009 at 6:03AM
Steve Williams

To introduce an education reform model that is conducive to student learning today must have parental support and the cooperative effort of after school programs in the community. It appears that children are not learning because they are not meeting the standardized requirements for academic success set by State Education departments. However, children are learning at an accelerated rate without proper guidance and direction on how to decipher massive quantities of information they are bombarded with daily. If we should think for a moment how easy it has been for students to absorb technological advances, much faster than their parents and teachers. More often than not adults are asking children to show them how to use a computer.

The solution is more basic than we can imagine and based on the premise that everyone has a need and desire to survive. The esoteric meaning of the words, "Man Know Thyself" evolves from the nature of human kinds curiosity in knowing how things work. Unfortunately, there is a concerted effort by some in positions of power and authority to suppress human drive and motivation.
As society has become more open through technology, the destructive behavior of human kind has become more apparent and open to greater scrutiny, and rightly so.

With any method of teaching and learning the results of achievement is based on the amount of time spent on task and the quality of services provided. If an educational institution is unable or unwilling to provide the necessities for adequate and appropriate instructions, then it is the responsibility of parents and the community at large to support these efforts.

From my experience, the greatest advocates for enacting immediate change are parents and community based after school programs, because people who work with children in need of a balanced and productive life are unpaid volunteers. Children have trust in those who give without monetary expectations. Volunteers not only give their time and talents, but also endear their virtues for success by sharing their personal life stories that empathize with trials and challenges children are experiencing. Such relationships have changed the lives of millions of African American children, including myself.

So, the solution is a structured setting, which allows open dialogue and discussion to take place about real world experiences and how education plays a part in providing tools for survival. I call it, Salvation Through Education. We can make an immediate change for the better, if we do not allow our elected officials to abuse their office and our rights
We must all ask ourselves, ”whom have I taught today and whom have I helped”.
"Each One, Teach One!

Wednesday, August 12th 2009 at 11:37AM
Dr. Okpara Nosakhere

Okpara, you and I are definitely on the same page. I have been very concern with the structure of our educational system since my own children were in grammar school. I found myself in battle with the system when my son became a constant target of the assistant principal and I had to go alll the way to the board to be heard.

Our current educational system is not condusive for today's children. Children today are more open-minded and free in thought. When this cannot be expressed they become disencouraged and frustrated. What they call ADHD is their way of identifying their own lack of evolution into a new paradigm where children are more empowered by their own inner knowledge.

For a long time children have been seen as 'lesser' because of crazy ideas such as age or lack of experience. In turn their ideas have been ignored, their feelings not taken into consideration and their wisdom scoffed. Well, we need not wonder why there is so much violence in the school system today. These children are determined to be heard. It is ordained that they present a better way to education because the old paradigm system is null and void.

I would like to see programs put in place where the children can have the opportunity of an open dialogue where there desires and concern can be heard and taken into serious consideration. I would also like to see a better way of communicating with our young people where all is respected and seen as equals. I would love to see and are willing to help put in place a new unstructured systematic way of educating our youths in the now future.

I totally agree that the new education paradigm allow for the spirit of the child to be nurtured as they learn that possibilities are unlimited as they quest for the unique signature of their soul expression.
Namaste
Nazeelah
Saturday, September 12th 2009 at 11:34AM
Nazeelah Tippett