Running head: PHILOSOPHY FOR RELEVANT EDUCATION 1

Lifelong Learning: A Philosophy for Relevant Education

By,
Kasey S. Missamore
Western Nevada College
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An invaluable key to promoting lifelong aspirations of learning within the mindset of

another younger individual is being able to provide a variety of learning methods for life skill

sets paired with a healthy, and supportive atmosphere. The environment a student is submerged

in must be conducive for all learning types. When a student, especially a young student, is put

into a restricted environment where a pre-designated standard is then push upon them. It limits

the allowance of creativity, passion, and desire to enhance their educational stature. There is

much that goes into the construction of such a setting as this but there should be no limitations to

what we will do for the betterment of the future generations.

Promoting an educationally stimulating environment requires a strong infrastructure.

Without an accurate foundation nothing of solidity will withstand the tasks that lay ahead. The

first layer to this foundation is built from personal connections and trust. The emotion of safety

provides a cushion of trust and open-mindedness; enticing a student to be more receptive. This

approach has many similarities to progressivism and according to Parkay (2015) “…education

should be child-centered…” (Parkay, 2015). This provides more opportunity for an individual to

truly blossom into who they were meant to be and in exchange will hopefully diminish

repression and rebellion. Encouraging a healthier, happier way of life, and more positive

contributions to society.

Within every system there are faults however, setting a student up for success will limit

wasted time on nonessential problems. Putting the child first and creating a unified coalition with

the parents or guardian on what is truly essential for the development of that child will eliminate

misused time, negativity, and stress. Allowing for more focus on teaching the necessary life

applicable skills aside from the fundamentals of reading, writing, math, and culture. Social

interaction, problem-solving strategies, team building, and individuality enhancing projects are
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the true tools used in constructing and fulfilling a happy life. The strength of these skill sets will

continuously pave roads and open doors for that individual.

Parkay’s (2015) literature on progressivism supports the following:

…knowledge that is true in the present may not be true in the future. Hence, the

best way to prepare the students for an unknown future is to equip them with

problem-solving strategies that will enable them to discover meaningful

knowledge at various stages of their lives (p.127).

Relevance to education will encourage students to utilize a higher order of thinking, be

more involved, and self-motivated. However, this concept should not distract from having

structure and organization. Free thinking does not imply that a learning environment such as this

is a free for all.

Maintaining order while encouraging positive behavior is a necessary component in

discouraging immoral behavior. There is a very distinguishing difference between positive

discipline and punishment. Punishment is control based and the other is sustained through

guiding and teaching accountability for our actions as humans. With positive discipline you can

reunite and reinforce the skill set of problem solving strategies but for behavioral difficulties.

Through repetition and guidance, the appropriate tools to handle a situation of duress will

become stronger. The lesson may vary given the circumstances but the overall teaching method

here will incorporate a critical component of moral education. Positive character development

and principals cannot thrive in a control and punishment-based environment but can instead have

an adverse effect and be counterproductive. As teachers we must help cultivate integrity and self-

regulation; we stand partially responsible for the type of individuals being projected into society.
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Teaching aside and simply as adults, we are still responsible for the image we wish to reflect as a

standard to the younger generation.

Relevant education is essential in cultivating a well-rounded individual and planting the

seeds of lifelong learning. A profound change must take place within the core of our current

curriculum and teaching habits to activate a philosophy that encourages self-interest, creativity

with upper level thinking, and a desire for continual knowledge. The educational philosophies of

today are no longer working for the future of tomorrow. The craft of teaching and learning

cannot reach its full potential in a suppressed environment layered with political rules, one level

standards, and force. To preserve pertinent education our world needs a drastic change for the

betterment of our society and individuality. The quality of our education dictates the quality of

life that we as humans can choose to live and nothing is more important than the future and

security of our children.

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References

Parkay, F. W., & Vaillancourt, J. P. (2018). Becoming a Teacher

(10th ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Pearson Canada.