Interpretation of Recent Readings

In one of the readings, Mao Tse Tung likened education to society, by saying,, “Fish don't know they are in water.” When humans become aware of their interactions in their environment and subsequent development without becoming complacent in it, is where learning begins.

Our role as educators is to provide environments and awareness of environmental interaction that will facilitate people to examine their interactions with their environment. This education has to be voluntary and self purpose driven. For example, as a child we are not complacent with the feeling of hunger or discomfort. When we become re aware of our interaction with the environment, we adjust our behavior to get the parent figure to relieve our discomfort. Education is realized when a person becomes aware of their ability to change or adapt their environment. Those showing that knowledge is a community act and that learning does not exist without others interactions. Our facilitation of education needs to present the awareness of a learner's ability to change their interactions with the environment, resulting in a positive outcome for them. Kinda of 'What's in it for me' (WIIFM)

This approach is not just situations and not just subjects. This education is subjects in a situation. Education needs to be show that those who do not stand for something, will be swayed by anything. Once this education is shown how it can make a difference in the lives of the learner, then the education turns into a learning.