A Sample of Modern Education

I recently began an online undergraduate geography course as a visiting student at a respected private university. Because the entire class is via the internet, all communication is conducted with the written word. Our first formal assignment required us to research various aspects of the Middle East - its history, politics, social climate, and dominant religion (Islam) - and to present an essay complete with references.

To my dismay, most of the work submitted was riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, sentence fragments and run-ons, factual errors, and often all of these and more. In addition, a significant number of the essays lacked any references for the information presented. Here are some excerpts from my classmates' work. I have not altered any of these.

"They will have people all over the world and us as Americans will not know exactly what Muslims believes what and does the right things."

"Even though there is abuse in America. They have to follow the laws of man. It is really crazy."

"...there are so many Islam people that live all over the world."

"The women in Israel are very missed treated. When Saddam Hussein ran the country they barely even had the right to live."

"They had muslim scholars who made many contributions to the fields of History, mathmatics, Geography and Medicene. So it is how they also spread there faith."

"Africa also a major country..."

"North Africa found only limited trading opportunities with the native inhabitants, and instead turned into colonization."

"A genuine understanding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its Islamic heritage and its leading role in the Arab and Muslim worlds."

"Syria While much more progressive than Saudi Arabia, women are allowed to be educated and hold jobs outside the home, still presents many challenges for women."

I admit I had some good chuckles over these, but they were quickly followed by groans and grimaces. Is this what our schools are producing today? The ages and education levels of these students varied from teenage college freshmen to seniors in their 20s to middle-aged adults returning to school at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Perhaps I could overlook the occasional minor spelling error, but with the availability of spell check that shouldn't be necessary. Writing with correct spelling, proper grammar, and complete sentences should be second nature by now. In addition, the glaring factual errors in some of these "sentences" (I'm using the term loosely) are completely unacceptable.

Many of these students have fallen victim to educational experimentation in a broken system which equates "new" with "better" and automatically discards the tried and true educational methods of time past as obsolete. Parents, remember that you play a crucial role in your child's education, and you can and should step in and see to it that they are educated properly.

Beyond Statistics

In his book Freakonomics, Stephen D. Levitt says that, statistically, the greatest indicator of the education level that a child will achieve is the mother's education level. So typically, the higher the mother's education, the higher the child's education. I don't know about you, but that sounds like a lot of responsibility that I may not be ready for! I mean, who wants to think that they may indirectly and inadvertently limit their child?

This is, of course, only a general statement. In spite of statistics, no mother should have to worry about stumping her child's academic growth. I am convinced that a parent's attitude toward education is more influential than the highest diploma they earn, and that attitude can overshadow whatever positive or negative messages they are receiving at school. Parents who are highly educated are likely to already have a positive attitude toward education. Parents without much education are still able to motivate their children to achieve more than they did by instilling a love of learning in their young ones. The key is to inspire them to want to learn new things, whether you already know those things or not.

The first step in motivating your children to learn is motivating yourself to learn. Whether you have a graduate degree or a high school diploma, take an interest in the world around you beyond pop culture. Learn the history behind your town and your state. Turn off the television and pick up a book; there are great educational books geared toward explaining various concepts to laymen. Your kids will see this and imitate you. Spark their interest by telling them all the new things you are learning, and encourage them to tell you what they are learning. Whether you like it or not, as a parent - and especially as a mother - you have a powerful sway over your children's education. Your concern for your children can be a great motivator for you to better your own education, and that will in turn motivate your children, and the cycle of learning will continue.

A Necessary Skill, A Dying Art

I think it's safe to say that the value of good penmanship is often overlooked in our day of computers and "the faster the better" attitude. According to a November Newsweek article, there is a reviving interest in handwriting skills, but as far as I can tell this is mainly for utilitarian purpose. With practice, the function of writing by hand becomes second nature. Students benefit in other areas such as math, when they do not struggle with turning letters and numbers around. Notes during class lectures are important to absorbing and retaining information.

I would go farther to say that the skill of handwriting is not limited to practical uses. For those who hold to the ideals of absolute Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, there is an aesthetic aspect to proper penmanship which is all but lost in modern education. To this day I feel a twinge of embarrassment when I have to choose between sending a thank-you note written with informal print or elementary cursive. We have all seen beautiful handwriting, but it can be easy to forget that this was learned by the author rather than a natural-born ability.

Although most schools are not giving handwriting the attention it's due, this article gives parents some pointers in working with their children. Be sure to check out the Handwriting Without Tears website mentioned in both of the above articles, as well. Their parent section contains practical suggestions for parents which can be implemented whether or not you purchase their curriculum.

Of all the skills you are sure to have your children learn, do not neglect this basic but important one. From the simplest thank-you note to the most heartfelt letter or journal entry, communication and self-expression should not be stifled by a lack of this foundational skill.