Educate children
Last week, there were several newspaper articles about adding information technology courses and eliminate “unnecessary” courses of education programs in some countries. More specifically, Indian government has ordered hundred thousands of tablets to be placed in elementary schools so children can learn about programming at early age. Chinese government also pushes the teaching of science and technology, especially information technology, down to elementary schools. It seemed both countries are preparing to compete fiercely in the technology area. The question is: Is this a good idea to start technology training for children at early age?
It is a fact that the skills and characters of people determine the successful of a business. The success of many businesses determines the prosperity of an economy. The prosperity of an economy determines the strength of a nation. The strength of a nation impacts the world. Therefore, the foundation of any nation is determined by the development of all individuals within that country. As a result, education and training of individuals, from elementary to college, is critical to build a country with strong and prosperous economy.
Scientists have found that all children are born with the ability to learn as they have all the brain cells but not the “circuitry” that connects them. It is the brain “circuitry” that determines individual skills, characters that individual use to deal with the environment. These “circuits” are developing in response to the environmental factors such as the education, social interaction and individual experiences. Adverse conditions such as abuse, neglect, and violence often results in a child’s brain being “connected” to such situation. More or less, the skills and characters of individuals have their origins in early childhood development. By investment in education and development, and throughout the growth of individuals, from babies to adults, it is possible to create highly educated and capable citizens of tomorrow. Therefore, improvement in education must start early in kindergarten and elementary school to be effective.
In early 1970s, Dorothy Nolte a scientists, have observed that early childhood education is critical to the development of an individual. She wrote: “If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility, they learn to fight. If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive. If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves. If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy. If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy. If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.” Therefore, it is critical for parents and educators to pay attention to the environment that children are raised. She offered an eloquent solution: “If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence. If children live with tolerance, they learn patience. If children live with praise, they learn appreciation. If children live with acceptance, they learn to love. If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves. If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal. If children live with sharing, they learn generosity. If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness. If children live with fairness, they learn justice. If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect. If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them. If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.”
The question is raised whether current education system has achieved its mission of developing highly educated and ethical character to be citizens of the future? Whether current schools are teaching moral character as well as academic excellence?
In my opinion, students in elementary schools should be trained in filial duty such as respect for parents, and teachers. They need to learn to be polite, have empathy, and trustworthiness. These are the foundations of all education systems in Asia for thousands of year. Our culture considers family as the main unit of society therefore education and good moral character must start with the family.
By the time students go to high school, they should be taught about ethic, integrity, responsibilities, justice and humility. In high school, students are developing characters as they are exploring within themselves about the qualities of relationships, friendships, through their own independent activities. This is the time where national history and culture training are important as they begin to develop their sense of identity and appreciation of humanities and social activities. Student should be encouraged to develop their confidence to interact harmonious with others and takes responsibilities for their own actions.
By the time students go to college, they already have developed moral character, strong responsibilities for their own, for their family, and their country. This is the time when they should be given opportunities to pursue their own academic interests and explore their potential in science, technology, arts, humanities and business. With proper trainings, they can develop the ability to think critically and analytically as well as skills in creativity and problem solving. They should be encouraged in their pursuit of knowledge and prepared for a successful career in the future.
This concept is already deeply rooted in Asian culture for thousands of year and it has been working well throughout history. Unfortunately today countries begin to abandon this tradition in order to pursue a new education system based mostly on technology. This type of education promotes student achievement and preparation for careers in the industry by fostering science and technology excellence and eliminates other courses. Some educators advocate teaching information technology in elementary school because when children grow up, they are better prepared. In that case, they reduce the goal of education from develop a “total and responsible citizens” to produce “technical workers for the industry”. The concept of providing more workers for the economy is being proposed in India, China, and some countries is based on similar programs from western countries. What work in the U.S or Europe does not necessary means it will benefit Asian society. There is a difference between knowledge and tools. Technology is only a tool to be used, not the knowledge that can lead people to better living, better society and better citizenship.
An education without moral, ethic and responsibility can lead to a lot of social problems which can bring chaos to society. An education that value individual instead of family, where success is based on materials rather than moral characters is not a desirable education. An education that value workers' productivity, where elderly parents are being mistreated by their children and consider “useless” by society is not an Asian tradition; an education where personal misconducts and arrogant are consider acceptable where humility and ethic are not value should never be considered.
More than ever, a good education start at home and children should be taught these values at home. A good character person can always learn about technology at anytime. However it is very difficult to change an immoral, unethical person even that person has the highest degree in technology.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
