Suzanne Gibson September 29, 2011 T/Th 2-3:20 English A

Educational Methods: East vs. West

Knowledge is power, or so they say. In todays society everyone places so much emphasis on the schooling system and making it the best, yet they become so frustrated when all does not work out for them. So the people find that what does not work must change, and the most successful form of change proves itself through a combination of American and Asian educational methods, because together they create the ultimate educational method. Taking views from each regarding creativity, structure, and effort. Creativity portrays itself as the backbone to what creates a genius. Society values such minds as Thomas Edison or Albert Einstein whom both took the initiative to think outside the box and break standard molds to gain insight into great creation. This rings true mostly from the American style of educational teaching. Kie Ho writes that at the Laguna Beach Museum of Art kids who were given no more than colorful yarns, foil paper, felt pens and crayons were able to create exhibits of [art] (199). This shows that while the Asian methods provide the numbers, one must not forget the benefit of thinking outside the box. Not to mention how much for granted we take this right of Freedom through teaching and expression and how much it affects the lives of our every day. Not every American wants their child to attain 6 different languages or master calculus but more rather be happy. Though there clearly is a benefit to those numbers as the American style freedom comes with the price of declining test scores as the TIMSS scores show that our 4th graders[] do very well, our eighth graders are mediocre, and our 12th grader

performance is abysmal (Robinson 196). Showing that with great creativity comes a certain degree of responsibility. While our American creativity might benefit one side of the brain, it proves wasteful to neglect the other side of out brain without proper structure and discipline. Structure remains to this day as a key performance enhancer. Society truly tends to gain from being organized and staying on top of our projects as well as our academics. This is where the Asian method proves itself over the American style granting them the benefit over us for test scores. Japan tends to focus their material in small groups allowing them to focus more, compared to American teachers which are so busy getting through the curriculum that they cant give the students the opportunities [they need] (Robinson 196). Structure of learning creates the core around which the children develop, many times has a lecture just blown over a classes head because the teacher has put so much focus on hitting deadlines than academic goals. Such remains the case for Japanese teachers and other Asian method teachers. Who begin the class by stating the days goals and rarely vary[ing] from the topic (Vobejda 197). Using this method grants the class the ability to focus on one subject and master it before moving on to the next. Comparatively to the American style which focuses more on hoping the children will grasp material more rather than concepts. As noted by Vobejda who states that a first grade teacher will run through activities in math going from measurements to addition to telling time (197). The sporadic nature of teaching leaves the children wondering where the connection is between any of it. This ultimately leaves the children grasping for straws than bundles of hay. Lastly effort shows itself as being a deciding factor in the success of the children. While the other two prides themselves more on the development and the well being of the individual. It comes down to effort as to how they apply themselves, and it remains on the teachers and even the parents to instill the right gauge for what amount of effort is appropriate. The Asian style

grants itself both a positive and a negative in this category. They maintain a mentality instructed into each child that school has an all or nothing impact [] on their futures (Fallows 201).This creates a lot of pressure on the children that their test scores are virtually everything to them, their present and future lives depend on it. It shows a level of dedication to school that leaves the children lacking a sense of wonder for anything outside the walls of the school. This is where the American method comes back in and shines with its more relaxed approach to letting the childs mind wander. However, the Asian method does grant its students one thing which is to understand the difference between effort and raw ability. For example, the more [one] talks about effort and the less you talk about raw ability the more [one] builds up the idea that all are capable of succeeding (Fallows 203). This sounds odd for sure, considering that it sounds more like an American philosophy, which even more so means that great minds to think alike to a certain degree. The process proves itself in being a balancing act between the two that will benefit the children the most. Balancing the two ideals and their stands on effort, structure, and creativity is the best way to create the ultimate educational method. Granting the children a way to understand ideas through free-flow of thought while in a timely and organized manner. Spending time processing the ideas from day to day instead of learning a new one each day of the week. Simply by giving the teachers goals similar to the way the children will be taught, is the quickest and surest way to make sure the children achieve the academic standing each one deserves. This Ensures that knowledge really does become the childrens ultimate power.