Aug, 1 2023
Interpreting the Wisdom of Twain
“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education,” said the great author and humorist, Mark Twain. Even though these words were uttered more than a hundred years ago, they still resonate with us. In essence, it implies that formal education isn’t the only pathway towards wisdom and learning. For many, Twain's statement might be controversial. How could schooling get in the way of education? Isn't it the same thing? Well, to me, and to many others, the answer is a resounding "No!"
Schooling and education, while frequently used interchangeably, are not synonymous. Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes while schooling is just one medium through which this process can occur. It implies that learning is restricted to classrooms and textbooks. However, life, in its magnificent entirety, could be a profound teacher in its way.
Education beyond the Classroom Walls
How I wish someone had given me a heads up about this when I was in school! It's not that I didn't appreciate my schooling years; I genuinely did. It's just that there was so much pressure to score high marks, to be the best, and the core point of education i.e., learning, was often overlooked. I remember the joy I felt whenever I learned something new, but couldn't capture in my textbooks. Those "aha!" moments when I understood the intricacies of a cricket match or managed to bake a perfect cake - all nurtured me in their unique ways.
Here is a fun fact, did you know that while Einstein was indeed brilliant, his schooling years were far from outstanding? In fact, his teachers described him as mentally slow. Moreover, Thomas Edison, the famous inventor of the light bulb, was deemed ‘too stupid to learn anything’ by his teachers. It just goes to show that education doesn't solely restrict to the rigid confines of a classroom or school.
Your Journey, Your Pace
I am in no way diminishing the importance of a well-grounded schooling system as one of the essential vessels propagating education; it lays the foundational groundwork. However, the point being emphasized is taking the onus of our own learning journey. It's about understanding that education isn't just about grades, ranks, or degrees. It's far more profound, encompassing our personal growth, developing our cognition, and molding our attitudes, values, and beliefs.
Echoing these thoughts, here's an analogical perception to consider. Imagine education as an unfathomable ocean of learning, and schooling is just one of the many ships that can assist us in navigating. However, we have the liberty to choose our vessels, our pace, and our route in this voyage of learning. We could also choose to swim, dive in or float – learning can be in any form of our choice.
The Art and Science of Learning
How we learn is paramount to what we learn. Yes, one can argue that a well-planned curriculum facilitates a structured learning environment. But isn't learning also about curiosity, innovation, creativity, and real-world application? Isn't it about relatability, relevance, and contextual understanding? Isn't it about honing critical thinking, logical reasoning, communication skills, and problem-solving ability? Well, my friends, the schooling system can sometimes overlook these aspects. However, learning isn't confined to the four walls of a school; it's a lifelong journey!
Education is about gaining knowledge and learning new skills. However, it’s also about developing a balanced view towards life, understanding ethics, recognizing cultural diversity, promoting social responsibility, and nurturing emotional intelligence. It’s about becoming a humble student of life, continuously evolving, and truly learning to learn!
Reinventing the Role of a Teacher
The role of teachers is also evolving. Being a shaper of minds and characters, a teacher's influence should extend beyond knowledge impartation. The teacher should be a guide, a facilitator, encouraging inquiry and fostering lifelong learning habits, nurturing every student's unique potential, and promoting a joyous, endearing love for learning.
Yes, a good teacher can prompt curiosity and inspire students to explore subjects with an open mind, but the motivation should also come from within. Learning is indeed most effective when it's self-driven, perseverant, sustained, and passionately curious.
Education is Everywhere
Believe me when I say, education is everywhere. Every interaction, every experience, every observation – it's all a lesson to be learned. We need to grasp this learning with both hands and be thirsty for knowledge at all times. For example, traveling can teach us about history, culture, and geography - much more than any textbook ever could. Keeping an open mind towards learning also helps in enhancing our adaptability and dealing effectively with life's challenges.
Think about industries like social media marketing, breakthrough technologies like AI and machine learning – these did not exist in the traditional school curricula. Learning about these spheres is now critical for many professions.
Unacademy: The Self Learning Endeavor
Do not let the structured ways of schooling limit your innate curiosity. Expand your horizons, question the norms, explore the unknown, seek answers, and strive to learn something new every day. Make mistakes and learn from them, for that is how we grow. And in all this chaos and uncertainty, remember to keep the flame of love for learning constant. Because as Helen Keller rightly said, "The highest result of education is tolerance." As we learn about different perspectives, we learn to respect and accept them too.
If there's one lesson life has taught me, it is this – no one can take away your knowledge. Knowledge is power. And the thirst for knowledge should never be quenched. Remember, we are lifelong students, and the world is our classroom. As I continue to learn, grow, and educate myself, I hope you do too. Because, at the end of the day, learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets!