2ppaamm:
These days, I am wondering as well. Even those among us who were sent to good universities on our taxpayers' money are sometimes disappointing with their views and personalities. Many lack depth and empathy, definitely not knowledge and scholarship. They write with fluency and accuracy, but their essays lack souls. They can quote Socrates, educated in the wisdom of man, but they lack understanding. They spend time writing with a thesaurus in their hands, but they forget to search the meaning of their experiences. Unfortunately, good schools can only teach so much.
This is what was pointed out in the park bench scene, that, despite his genius, his words lack depth and wisdom, and it showed.
2ppaamm:Most children will NOT be spotted and nurtured in a society such as ours. Fortunately, I managed to find other societies which are much more willing to identify and nurture those who do not fit a narrow definition of giftedness to make them worthy of opportunities.
It is good that you managed to find such a place, and be able to move there. Many do not have the opportunity. And even in the very same society that offers this, I believe there are still a good number that gets missed out for various reasons. I'm not able to comment about the 'Most' in your words, because I don't have the knowledge (nor experience) to back up any claims.
2ppaamm:As parents and educators, we can only facilitate and not teach. Sometimes, all they need are opportunities, and often even these are robbed from those who are the most vulnerable, and therefore who need them the most.
As parents, we have to try to understand the child and not expect the 'experts' to give advice that we have to follow faithfully. If that's the case then children and people in general are no better than robots that can be trained by a set of rules. At the end of the day, a doctor, educator can only give advice based on their observation of majority of cases they have seen, but it is the caregivers, parents who will know, is this the 'normal' behavior, is there something underlying, not easily noticed by that few short moment of professional analysis, but only through a long process of bonding, and understanding, can that sparkle be seen.
You are right, we can facilitate, educate, but not teach.
2ppaamm:You are right that we cannot expect the masses to get the kind of education akin to that provided by the Ivies, they are truly of a different league. My hope is not that the masses go to Ivy Leagues, but for the educators to be educated enough to provide similar education to the masses. Perhaps it is too tall an order, but it does not harm dreaming and hoping. And if we reach there, it really does not matter whether any child is gifted or not, because each will be given the opportunity to be respected, and his potential maximized. I guess it does not harm to start by believing that day is coming soon.
Actually I wasn't really referring to education akin to the ivys
, but education that caters to these 'special needs' for the masses. But I do agree that the educators need to be aware and understand the underlying intention of an education, and not just by mere 'teaching' is their job done.
But I do hold the believe that the biggest responsibility lies with the parents, whether they are able to understand their children, and their needs, how best they can achieve their potential and yet be able to enjoy life's experiences. And if necessary, pursue a road less travelled in order to facilitate their growth mentally, healthily.
As of now, what I can observe, is that our society as a whole, is not in a healthy state. But I have come across very good individuals, who, as teachers, are able to bring about a sense of perspective when it comes to bringing up children, and education for the young. And that gives me a sense of hope.
Cheers.
