Claire Shipp
English 101
“How We Learn”: Definition Essay (Final Draft)
November 13, 2017
English 101
“How We Learn”: Definition Essay (Final Draft)
November 13, 2017
PURPOSE
While climbing out of the Durango, I take inventory of the items I am carrying. I have my backpack, pencil case, and nap mat; I know I am missing an important piece--my lunchbox! I yell to my mom, but she has already left. Four hours later, I file into the kindergarten cafeteria for the first time and sit down with my sad, tasteless cheeseburger. Twelve years later, I sit in the Chillicothe High School cafeteria with the same, sad cheeseburger. Throughout those 12 years, I learned not only the value of a sack lunch packed by my mom but also the value of textbook facts and lifelong skills. In the article, “Rule Maker...Rule Breaker; The White House vs. Jonathan Kozol,” James S. Miller poses two opinions that assess what a “quality” education should include (Miller 314-315). The first excerpt from the White House Website on Higher Education describes an education that focuses on preparing students for postsecondary education and the workforce; the second excerpt, written by Jonathan Kozol, education activist, describes an education that focuses on genuine learning and critical thinking (Miller 314-315). Education has caused a division throughout America even though this fundamental concept should bring citizens together. Ultimately, education serves multiple purposes; schools across America prepare students to succeed in society, give students the skills to pursue their desired careers, and mold students into lifelong learners.
Education teaches students deeper information than the core subjects can provide; life skills are embedded in the curriculum. While knowing that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell was helpful when taking my Biology exam sophomore year, that knowledge did not assist me when mingling with professionals in Washington, D.C. for the Foundation of Rural Services Youth Tour. While in Washington, D.C., I spoke to representatives, senators, and lobbyists. Organizations like FFA taught me to speak comfortably; classes like math taught me to think through problems, and English taught me to speak intelligently. These skills helped me to make deeper impressions on people that could potentially shape my future. In addition, educational leaders see the value of life skills. Dr. Brian Van Batavia, principal of Maple Park Middle School, explains, “My job is to help students prepare for success.” My high school, just like Van Batavia’s Maple Park Middle School, prepared me for success by teaching me more than book knowledge; schools teach students communication, thinking, and interpersonal skills. Education prepares students for real-life scenarios but also gives them skills to reach for their dream careers.
Schools work to individualize education to prepare students for specific career paths. As a student at Chillicothe High School, I had the opportunity to choose classes that fit me. The choices were diverse just like the student body. I chose to take the agriculture pathway, and that decision has served me well. Through my agriculture classes, I discovered my passion, and my future career: agriculture education. Just as I did, students can choose classes that further their skills in music, drama, welding, construction, nursing, or childcare. Individualized classes are a vital part of education because they prepare students for success in the workforce. Van Batavia further explains the importance of vocational preparation: “Your folks want you to get rich and buy them things. In order to do that, you have to get to work.” Schools prepare students to be successful in their careers so they can be financially independent. Miller agrees with Van Batavia on purpose of education: “The goal of schooling is to prepare students to become productive workers” (315). Miller emphasizes the importance of work-related skills in the classroom. In the same article, Miller writes, “School is a kind of professional training ground” (Miller 315). Both of these statements by Miller share the same sentiment; education must provide students with opportunities to learn skills needed for future success. However, schools must also produce lifelong learners rather than educationally fatigued high-school graduates.
Education is a tool that can be used to create lifelong learners. As I have progressed through my education, I have witnessed my peers’ desire to learn and grow fade. A day does not pass without hearing comments like “I hate school,” “ I’m so over this,” and “I quit.” The goal of education is to create lifelong learners, but many schools fail. Miller’s article explains what a successful learning model would look like: “The liberal arts model defines the nature and value of learning intrinsically, independent of any vocational purpose to which it might be put” ( 315). Education can serve as a platform to learn more than facts. Representative Rusty Black believes that the purpose of education is to create learners. Black explains that in high school students learn the skills to obtain knowledge: “You learn how to learn.” As Miller and Black state, education teaches students the value of self-motivated learning. This ability to learn is vital because educated citizens are the basis of America. Van Batavia explains how learning to learn effects our country by saying, “The more educated our citizens are, the better leaders we would have to provide for the commonwealth.” Education must teach students to learn so they can carry that skill into adulthood. Schools should strive to produce graduates that know the intrinsic importance of knowledge and how to obtain information.
I walked into school as a kindergartner and immediately learned the value of a lunch brought from home; however, when I leave high school, I will have learned life, career and learning skills. Through my schooling I have discovered the realities of education. However, other “experts” in education like the White House Website on Higher Education and Jonathan Kozol have divided education into an argument. Miller’s article “Rule Maker...Rule Breaker; The White House vs. Jonathan Kozol” describes education as black and white; however, I believe education is shades of gray that vary between school districts. Education should not be divided through an argument; instead, education should serve the learning needs of youth, both vocationally and organically. The American education system forms successful adults, workers, and learners.
Education teaches students deeper information than the core subjects can provide; life skills are embedded in the curriculum. While knowing that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell was helpful when taking my Biology exam sophomore year, that knowledge did not assist me when mingling with professionals in Washington, D.C. for the Foundation of Rural Services Youth Tour. While in Washington, D.C., I spoke to representatives, senators, and lobbyists. Organizations like FFA taught me to speak comfortably; classes like math taught me to think through problems, and English taught me to speak intelligently. These skills helped me to make deeper impressions on people that could potentially shape my future. In addition, educational leaders see the value of life skills. Dr. Brian Van Batavia, principal of Maple Park Middle School, explains, “My job is to help students prepare for success.” My high school, just like Van Batavia’s Maple Park Middle School, prepared me for success by teaching me more than book knowledge; schools teach students communication, thinking, and interpersonal skills. Education prepares students for real-life scenarios but also gives them skills to reach for their dream careers.
Schools work to individualize education to prepare students for specific career paths. As a student at Chillicothe High School, I had the opportunity to choose classes that fit me. The choices were diverse just like the student body. I chose to take the agriculture pathway, and that decision has served me well. Through my agriculture classes, I discovered my passion, and my future career: agriculture education. Just as I did, students can choose classes that further their skills in music, drama, welding, construction, nursing, or childcare. Individualized classes are a vital part of education because they prepare students for success in the workforce. Van Batavia further explains the importance of vocational preparation: “Your folks want you to get rich and buy them things. In order to do that, you have to get to work.” Schools prepare students to be successful in their careers so they can be financially independent. Miller agrees with Van Batavia on purpose of education: “The goal of schooling is to prepare students to become productive workers” (315). Miller emphasizes the importance of work-related skills in the classroom. In the same article, Miller writes, “School is a kind of professional training ground” (Miller 315). Both of these statements by Miller share the same sentiment; education must provide students with opportunities to learn skills needed for future success. However, schools must also produce lifelong learners rather than educationally fatigued high-school graduates.
Education is a tool that can be used to create lifelong learners. As I have progressed through my education, I have witnessed my peers’ desire to learn and grow fade. A day does not pass without hearing comments like “I hate school,” “ I’m so over this,” and “I quit.” The goal of education is to create lifelong learners, but many schools fail. Miller’s article explains what a successful learning model would look like: “The liberal arts model defines the nature and value of learning intrinsically, independent of any vocational purpose to which it might be put” ( 315). Education can serve as a platform to learn more than facts. Representative Rusty Black believes that the purpose of education is to create learners. Black explains that in high school students learn the skills to obtain knowledge: “You learn how to learn.” As Miller and Black state, education teaches students the value of self-motivated learning. This ability to learn is vital because educated citizens are the basis of America. Van Batavia explains how learning to learn effects our country by saying, “The more educated our citizens are, the better leaders we would have to provide for the commonwealth.” Education must teach students to learn so they can carry that skill into adulthood. Schools should strive to produce graduates that know the intrinsic importance of knowledge and how to obtain information.
I walked into school as a kindergartner and immediately learned the value of a lunch brought from home; however, when I leave high school, I will have learned life, career and learning skills. Through my schooling I have discovered the realities of education. However, other “experts” in education like the White House Website on Higher Education and Jonathan Kozol have divided education into an argument. Miller’s article “Rule Maker...Rule Breaker; The White House vs. Jonathan Kozol” describes education as black and white; however, I believe education is shades of gray that vary between school districts. Education should not be divided through an argument; instead, education should serve the learning needs of youth, both vocationally and organically. The American education system forms successful adults, workers, and learners.
WORKS CITED
Black, Rusty. Personal Interview. 3 Nov. 2017.
Miller, James S. “Rule Maker...Rule Breaker; The White House vs. Jonathan Kozol.” Acting out Culture: Readings for Critical
Inquiry, 3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015, pp. 314–315.
Van Batavia, Brian. Google Hangout Interview. 1 Nov. 2017.
Miller, James S. “Rule Maker...Rule Breaker; The White House vs. Jonathan Kozol.” Acting out Culture: Readings for Critical
Inquiry, 3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015, pp. 314–315.
Van Batavia, Brian. Google Hangout Interview. 1 Nov. 2017.