Big Idea: Supporting Innovation and Inquiry in Education
Inquiry in some ways questions the current status quo when it comes to our education system. As much as we can strive to create unique learning experiences there is always a seed within my mind that says “Is this really what the students want to do?”
I spoke with one of my professors about the purpose of the school system. We agreed on the fact that in theory, the education system is meant to lift people up to higher knowledge and social classes. However, in practice, there is still a lower class and a large lack of education within our country. So obviously there are a great number of students who slip through the cracks within our system. Our current education system is not the end-all-be-all, if we thought that then society would cease to progress. Thus schools like PSII are of great value and studying the methods they use can help us progress within the public school system.
Inquiry will not suit every student, but for those it does, it can do amazing things. Due to the nature of public school, we cannot have classes on every possible subject. My high school didn’t even have textiles or ceramics. We are inherently limited by the fact that we must teach a large class on a subject. This is why inquiry is so important. For those who have interests outside of the basic curriculum, and the drive to follow through, the ability to pursue these interests may shape the rest of their lives.
For all students, choice is valuable. It increases engagement (as mentioned in my previous blog post) and gives a sense of control within a system where you have someone overlooking you all the time. Therefore incorporating aspects of inquiry into the curriculum can be a net boon for the system, particularly within the arts. The question becomes “how much can I trust my students to pursue their own education” as there will always be those who excel in environments and those who struggle.
Students go to institutes like PSII with the expectation of inquiry being the forefront and focus of their education. Is it right to try and push students who may have no interest in Inquiry towards it in the public school system? I believe it is right to push, as inquiry connects greatly to the skillsets required to navigate the adult world. If people do not think for themselves and dive into their topics of interest we end up with an apathetic populace, and apathy is the true opposite of love, not hate.