Why Schools Should Focus on Teaching Critical Thinking and Independent Learning

The Importance of Practical Life Skills

People often complain that schools don't teach practical life skills like mortgages, budgeting, and laundry. While these complaints are valid to some extent, it's worth noting that many of these practical skills are actually taught in school. The issue often lies in students not paying attention or recognizing the value of these lessons at the time they are taught. This raises the question: what should schools really focus on to prepare students for life?

The Key Skill: Independent Learning

The key skill schools should impart is the ability to figure things out independently. In a rapidly changing world, the ability to learn new skills on one's own is invaluable. Basic math skills like addition and subtraction are sufficient for tasks like budgeting, and reading skills can help students find information to solve practical problems, such as changing a tire. Therefore, the emphasis should be on teaching students how to learn rather than spoon-feeding them every single life skill.

Critical Thinking Over Memorization

Expecting schools to teach every single skill is impractical and unrealistic. A coherent curriculum of larger skills is more beneficial than learning random unrelated facts. True empowerment comes from using one's brain to learn new skills as needed. Complaints about not being taught how to do taxes in school can be countered by pointing out that students were taught English and Arithmetic, which are the foundational skills needed to understand and manage taxes.

The Problem of Learned Helplessness

Learned helplessness, where people avoid putting effort into learning, is a significant societal issue. Many students work hard to avoid challenging tasks and then complain about not being taught certain skills. This attitude not only hampers personal growth but also undermines the educational system. Schools could improve by teaching math using real-world examples like mortgages and interest rates, making subjects more relatable to real life.

The Role of Different Subjects

Each subject in school trains different parts of the brain: math for logical problem-solving, English for creativity, history for learning from past mistakes, and science for critical thinking. However, in some districts, schools focus on memorizing facts and formulas to pass tests, rather than on critical thinking. This approach is counterproductive and fails to prepare students for real-world challenges.

The Lack of Practical Skills in Some Schools

Not all schools teach practical skills like mortgages, budgeting, and taxes. Some economics classes focus only on macro-economics, ignoring personal finance. While this is a gap that needs to be addressed, the ultimate skill that schools should teach is how to think critically and find information independently. Learning how to learn is a crucial skill that enables individuals to acquire new skills throughout their lives.

Empowering Students for the Future

Making school subjects relatable to real life can make learning easier and more engaging for students. By focusing on critical thinking and independent learning, schools can better prepare students for the complexities of adult life. Empowering students to use their brains to learn new skills as needed will serve them far better in the long run than teaching them a narrow set of practical skills.

While practical life skills are important, the ability to think critically and learn independently is what will truly empower students to navigate the challenges of life. By fostering these skills, schools can create lifelong learners who are equipped to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.