I have always idolized the way ancient Greeks studied. So, one day I discovered myself thinking of how we could establish a school like they used to have, but with a couple of changes of my own.
First of all, only the most fundamental subjects would be taught. Philosophy, important languages according to the location of the school, combination of math and physics and PE. This school wouldn't be meant to give one a chance to go learn any desireable subject, it would be more of a branch-school, but more on that later on.
Philosophy is something that teaches us to think, so this is required to study any other subject. Students would be taught the ideas of greatest thinkers of history with the purpose of helping students to induce their own. Biographies would be left out due to their meaninglessness, because it's the ideas that matter, not the man. Main method of teaching would be of course, the discussion.
Languages are also needed, because socializing with foreigners is inevitable. Nowadays, the teaching of languages would be quite good if it weren't to the faulty method. In every other subject the structure must be taught first, gradually filling it with facts, but not in languages. It just doesn't work. Language must be taught the other way around by letting students see how it's spoken and learn to do it as good and only then gradually letting them know why is it done so. Perhaps it works better, because that is how languages were born, words first, rules later whereas other subjects were developed rules first, facts later.
Next on the list is the combination of maths and physics. They should be taught together, because math is the system physics is based on. For trying to understand our world, math alone is insufficient and becomes inconceivable later on. The method of teaching should be that whenever taught new mathematical method, one will also be shown how to use it for solving problems in physics and vice versa - whenever a new physics problem occurs requiring a new method.
Anima sana in corpore sano. I also believe in it and that's why PE is also a must. In addition, healthy people live longer, therefore increasing the probability of inventing new ideas. Still, my idea of a good PE lesson is quite different from the one we have now. Instead of doing big bunch of useless exercises like jumping over a stick or running in circles, practical techniques like hunting, countrywork and martial arts should be taught. These all include exercises we do nowadays in PE, but they are also put into good, practical use. It helps to reduce the vulnerability, we, humans have, that even though we are on the top of the food chain, we are physically inferior.
One day includes one subject only, because it is more efficient than reminding students what page they should be on at the beginning of each fraction of a lesson. Also, this way the students are fully focused on only one subject, without others troubling their mind. It keeps them in the "spirit" of the subject for whole day making it easier to acquire new knowledge.
Now that we know what and how should be taught, we need to know who are the students expected to study there. This school would be limited to those of higher talent, motivation and interest in real subjects. I wouldn't limit it to men only, like it was in ancient Greece, because I believe that even though the school is based on rational mind and men are, on average, more rational and less emotional, women should be given fair chance to prove themselves. The process of choosing the students involves series of tests of will and ability of derivation, rather than the ability of remembering facts, like we have now. Physical abilities and health are also important due to the demanding PE lessons. Healthy body is something ancient Greeks worshipped by carving statues of gods in perfect human form.
The students would, indeed, have less knowing of history, chemistry, biology, ... - everything being taught to us nowadays. But the students of this school would have much more complete vision of life and world overall. They wouldn't have to know large amount of facts, because the ones they have would be connected to each other a lot better. As the school would be on the same place as our gymnasiums on the education ladder, it gives excellent base to anyone interested in further studies of science.
One class would include a maximum of 10 students, any more would mean that a student would be given too small amount of attention, less would reduce the efficiency too much. In addition to students self motivation there would be competition with other classmates and classes as whole, too. Competition is one of two forces driving evolution and in the process of developing ones skills. The second one is cooperation, which is covered by full-class competition, where classes that support their weaker members, prevail.
The teachers would need to be the best to be able to teach a bunch like the one described. The school would concentrate teachers that love their job and are competent to teach their subject. Unfortunately, nowadays we are mostly to find the ones teaching because it is only thing they know or they are doing it just for the money. Teachers would rather get paid less and teach less-motivated students who won't question. There are exceptions, of course, and I am happy to have met and taught by some of them. Teacher must be an authority to hold the group under control, but aswell their friend to be warm and believable. Kind of like a good big brother.
The last and somewhat less important element of a school is the environment. It must provide the peace and tools for the students. I can imagine for example an old renovated manor with a clean and beautiful park, where the students walking along the teacher could learn and discuss different ideas.
Many claim that "elite" schools are bad, that they reap the cream and somehow see it as a bad thing. I think that we should have even "eliter" schools, because we have enough students with a special need called talent, but nowhere to put them, where they could show their real potential. I believe that my school would do exactly that, helping talented rise higher rather than dragging them down, because others are incapable of keeping up.
This is my idea of a perfect gymnasium along with other thoughts regarding teaching methods. I hope that someday a school like this will be possible.
First of all, only the most fundamental subjects would be taught. Philosophy, important languages according to the location of the school, combination of math and physics and PE. This school wouldn't be meant to give one a chance to go learn any desireable subject, it would be more of a branch-school, but more on that later on.
Philosophy is something that teaches us to think, so this is required to study any other subject. Students would be taught the ideas of greatest thinkers of history with the purpose of helping students to induce their own. Biographies would be left out due to their meaninglessness, because it's the ideas that matter, not the man. Main method of teaching would be of course, the discussion.
Languages are also needed, because socializing with foreigners is inevitable. Nowadays, the teaching of languages would be quite good if it weren't to the faulty method. In every other subject the structure must be taught first, gradually filling it with facts, but not in languages. It just doesn't work. Language must be taught the other way around by letting students see how it's spoken and learn to do it as good and only then gradually letting them know why is it done so. Perhaps it works better, because that is how languages were born, words first, rules later whereas other subjects were developed rules first, facts later.
Next on the list is the combination of maths and physics. They should be taught together, because math is the system physics is based on. For trying to understand our world, math alone is insufficient and becomes inconceivable later on. The method of teaching should be that whenever taught new mathematical method, one will also be shown how to use it for solving problems in physics and vice versa - whenever a new physics problem occurs requiring a new method.
Anima sana in corpore sano. I also believe in it and that's why PE is also a must. In addition, healthy people live longer, therefore increasing the probability of inventing new ideas. Still, my idea of a good PE lesson is quite different from the one we have now. Instead of doing big bunch of useless exercises like jumping over a stick or running in circles, practical techniques like hunting, countrywork and martial arts should be taught. These all include exercises we do nowadays in PE, but they are also put into good, practical use. It helps to reduce the vulnerability, we, humans have, that even though we are on the top of the food chain, we are physically inferior.
One day includes one subject only, because it is more efficient than reminding students what page they should be on at the beginning of each fraction of a lesson. Also, this way the students are fully focused on only one subject, without others troubling their mind. It keeps them in the "spirit" of the subject for whole day making it easier to acquire new knowledge.
Now that we know what and how should be taught, we need to know who are the students expected to study there. This school would be limited to those of higher talent, motivation and interest in real subjects. I wouldn't limit it to men only, like it was in ancient Greece, because I believe that even though the school is based on rational mind and men are, on average, more rational and less emotional, women should be given fair chance to prove themselves. The process of choosing the students involves series of tests of will and ability of derivation, rather than the ability of remembering facts, like we have now. Physical abilities and health are also important due to the demanding PE lessons. Healthy body is something ancient Greeks worshipped by carving statues of gods in perfect human form.
The students would, indeed, have less knowing of history, chemistry, biology, ... - everything being taught to us nowadays. But the students of this school would have much more complete vision of life and world overall. They wouldn't have to know large amount of facts, because the ones they have would be connected to each other a lot better. As the school would be on the same place as our gymnasiums on the education ladder, it gives excellent base to anyone interested in further studies of science.
One class would include a maximum of 10 students, any more would mean that a student would be given too small amount of attention, less would reduce the efficiency too much. In addition to students self motivation there would be competition with other classmates and classes as whole, too. Competition is one of two forces driving evolution and in the process of developing ones skills. The second one is cooperation, which is covered by full-class competition, where classes that support their weaker members, prevail.
The teachers would need to be the best to be able to teach a bunch like the one described. The school would concentrate teachers that love their job and are competent to teach their subject. Unfortunately, nowadays we are mostly to find the ones teaching because it is only thing they know or they are doing it just for the money. Teachers would rather get paid less and teach less-motivated students who won't question. There are exceptions, of course, and I am happy to have met and taught by some of them. Teacher must be an authority to hold the group under control, but aswell their friend to be warm and believable. Kind of like a good big brother.
The last and somewhat less important element of a school is the environment. It must provide the peace and tools for the students. I can imagine for example an old renovated manor with a clean and beautiful park, where the students walking along the teacher could learn and discuss different ideas.
Many claim that "elite" schools are bad, that they reap the cream and somehow see it as a bad thing. I think that we should have even "eliter" schools, because we have enough students with a special need called talent, but nowhere to put them, where they could show their real potential. I believe that my school would do exactly that, helping talented rise higher rather than dragging them down, because others are incapable of keeping up.
This is my idea of a perfect gymnasium along with other thoughts regarding teaching methods. I hope that someday a school like this will be possible.
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