From Deseret News archives:
Foster a passion for learning
The State Board of Education recently increased high school graduation requirements to four years of English and three years each of math and science. Utah also recently joined a national Student Scholar program to provide incentives for students to take four years each of English and math, 3 1/2 years of social studies, three years of science and two years of a foreign language.
On the positive side, both initiatives seek to prepare our students to enter and complete college. The initiatives also properly raise expectations for our students. Goals and standards provide purpose, framework and confidence that promote learning.
My concerns, however, stem from the specificity of the increased graduation requirements and incentives. While increased expectations provide healthy motivation, they spur greater development if they relate to areas of our interests and if we set them or at least tailor them ourselves. Furthermore, some students simply quit or drop out, curtailing progress altogether, when goals set by others seem unattainable or don't match their interests.
In a commencement address, he stated that "the enduring skill" needed in a flat world is "an ability to learn how to learn," so that we can readily adapt to rapid changes. How does he suggest that students learn how to learn? By loving to learn. Specifically, Friedman recommends that students identify the best teachers in their schools and take their classes, whether they teach Greek mythology or physics. In this way, interest and love for learning are spawned.
We should also not reduce students' opportunities to take classes that interest them classes in which a budding interest can blossom. We otherwise miss the opportunity to capitalize on vital curiosity and enthusiasm. Friedman says, "Bringing joy and passion and optimism to your work is not what you get to do when you get to the top. It is HOW you get to the top."
Comments
- Man critically injured in accident 6:47 p.m.
- Trial begins in slaying 6:44 p.m.
- 2 families divided over slaying 6:22 p.m.
- Provo fire displaces 4 families 6:22 p.m.
- Brems outlasts 2nd round of votes 6:06 p.m.
- Boy's quick thinking saves life 6:05 p.m.
- Turner considers County Council run 6:00 p.m.
- Gifts for gamers 5:27 p.m.
- Acquired immunity may not help 5:15 p.m.
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling 5:11 p.m.
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Boy shot following traffic stop
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Matthews passes new Jazz tests
- U. eyes bowl for redemption
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
898 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Max Hall issues apology
374 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
335 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
298 - Utes won't respond to Hall
235 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
121 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
119 - Religion in politics is tiresome
102
Live 'Twittologue' Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. with Jason Chaffetz. Click for more.
Just stop playing the darn game between the gentiles and the saints. Ends...
Great thinking on both the mom and the son!
What's the coach's wife doing on the sideline? What did she come down to...
Good post Ryan, yes both websites work if you type them in after a nice www....
Think about it Cougs. If you bench Hall at least you will have an excuse to...
Nice comment, Ernest T. Bass
Thank goodness it's over, now the irrelevant Maxi Hall can just go away....
Mike Richards, You brought it up, You're lecturing us all with your...
Liahona is in Pleasant Grove and is in Region 18 with Dugway, Wendover,...
I bumped into Robert Johnson one time. He is the only man that Chuck Norris...


You can be the first to comment on this story.