But, my life of education, I have not fallen in love with any of them. I can read the writing on the wall. These simple, basic lines, from the hit song, Kodachrome, by Paul Simon, Half a Century Ago, sums up, a long-standing challenge, when it comes to, indeed, educating our school kids, which seems to be getting even worse, since those days! Many of us remember, what we call, the 3 R education, reading, writing and arithmetic, but in reality there has always been a Fourth R, which is significant, reasoning too! Unfortunately, today it appears that little has been accomplished when it comes to learning, understanding, and effectiveness of these 4 core concepts. With that in mind, this article will briefly attempt to consider, examine, review, and discuss what this means and represents, and why it is and is important.
1. Writting skills: Either because of the way writing skills are taught or because of an over-reliance on the use of computer aids, such as, Spelling checker, many studies indicate that more than three-quarters of high school graduates are unable to put together even a three-paragraph essay effectively and adequately. Also, most students today cannot comfortably use cursive (or handwriting). Doesn’t it make sense, at the very least, that we should emphasize, by educating, our young people, so that they can use these basic and necessary skills? Is it any surprise that so few regularly read newspapers, etc., and too many rely so much on the shortened / incomplete versions of news, etc., that they see, on social media, etc.?
two. Reading: skills and enjoyment: It’s a shame, the ready skills of today’s students are weaker than previous generations! The best way to learn is to read carefully and learn from what is on the written page, and when you enjoy the process, learning skills are consistently improved!
3. Math / arithmetic: Have you noticed the apparent panic in a store when their computers shut down? Unfortunately, many of these employees are extremely weak when it comes to their math / arithmetic skills and use. Basic math skills, especially addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, are especially helpful, when / if used, correctly, in almost every aspect of our lives! How can we demonstrate, despite computers, mobile phones, computer applications, calculators, etc., that learning, understanding, and effective use of these skills is desirable and necessary?
Four. Reasoning: The better developed, one, effectively learns and uses these skills, the greater the possibility that he will develop, the level of reasoning, which could make a significant difference, for the better!
We need better educated, wiser, and more prepared students to be equipped to handle life’s challenges consistently and effectively. Will our educational system evolve and achieve?
