The game that demoralizes even when we win

Robert Fried says…

The place we call school or college, which should be our society’s most vital promoter of learning, too often instead creates the field on which we learn to play a game that demoralizes us even when we are winners (and can permanently scar us when we lose). In the daily course of attending school, as they do what their teachers ask and strive to earn good grades, our children unknowingly substitute lesser goals for an invaluable goal they were born with: the pursuit of learning for its own sake. [The Game of School, p. 33]

Comments

[Christopher D. Sessums]

1.

Yes, this quote rings sad but true.

So what are we to do about it? Does this book offer solutions?

What are we to take away from such a statement?

[teacherninja]

2.

Yes!

[Common Iowan]

3.

Could you say that it drives students to drink?

[Kathy]

4.

Exactly right. That's why I became a librarian. My whole schtick when I give a class is not do this do that but follow your curiosity. Turn that research into something that you love reading about. Look at ALL this stuff the library has that can feed your passion! I'm at a public University with great resources. We are open to all so don't forget to send your students to your local public U.