21st Century Learning and Teaching

This article is actually an interview of Alison Gobnik the author whom wrote the New York Times best seller The Philosophical Baby. In the interview, the reporter for Edutopia (an educational foundation) discussed some matters that were found in Gobnik's book. The first topic discussed was that of parent and teacher roles. According to Gobnik who has done 15 years worth of research on biological evolution and psychological development, children should be exposed to a rich environment and be given the liberty to explore for themselves. She addresses the fact that children, especially young ones, are far much better learners than we can be teachers. She addresses the importance of family roles in early childhood. Children should not be limited to just their parents and school material but rather they should be in a community of learning. Extended family aides in the learning and interaction of children. It is at a young age that they learn to observe others and replicate their observations. However, both educators and parents have fallen into the pressure of traditional schooling because they seek to teach children a set of specific skills that they hope will aide in them in their future success. The author makes special reference to the 19th century when schools taught a narrow array of skills to fit the industrial age. Other questions asked by the reporter include: the role of play, the role of technology, and the spike of ADHD diagnosed in children.