Personal Devlopment taught in Schools

[Akashic_Librarian]

I know this has been a thread before...

Do you think PD should be taught in school/ At what age? What topics should be covered? Should it be a seperate subject or integrated into things like "Form Periods" or "Enrichment" sort of thing

[RT Wolf]

The basics of goal-setting and motivation should be taught. The question of how to figure out what you love should be addressed (saying you should do what you love is easy, its hard to actually find out, without helps). Basic personal finance should be taught, without a doubt. Honestly? I don't care if students don't learn math or art or science (and if you know me, this is blasphemy), as long as they learn some basic personal finance. Back in grade nine and ten I had to take civics, career studies and learn to debate. All useful, yes, but none of them was as useful as some basic personal finance would have been. Oh well.

I knew this organization that wanted to send speakers to high schools and other clubs to teach about personal finance, I'll go join them.

[daisylover26]

I absolutely think PD should be taught in schools! I also think Psychology should be a required high school course. By its very nature some aspects of PD can be integrated into other subjects, but I also think it's a good idea to set aside a certain time for it because I think it's good to call attention to the fact that you're working on Personal Development. I think it's such an important topic, but isn't always given its due attention, if that makes sense.

I would say in a classroom it would probably be best to steer away from the more spiritual aspects of PD since those differ for everyone and can be a point of contention. But, things like contribution, time managment, health are good for everyone. And something like an optional after-school PD club would be an opportunity for exploring the spiritual aspects, if students chose to do so.

[Shaden]

I would say in a classroom it would probably be best to steer away from the more spiritual aspects of PD since those differ for everyone and can be a point of contention. But, things like contribution, time managment, health are good for everyone. And something like an optional after-school PD club would be an opportunity for exploring the spiritual aspects, if students chose to do so.

You seem to have a good handle of the concept. I completely agree with what you're saying (and that is quite rare).

[Mark Lapierre]

Two things which I strongly believe should be taught in schools are memory techniques, and critical thinking.

To some degree critical thinking is taught, however for me it was always in the context of an English essay, or in relation to debating. I don't recall there being any focus on critical thinking in day-to-day life. Very few teachers truly encouraged us to think for ourselves. Far too much spoon feeding.

When I first learnt a few memory techniques a couple of years ago, I was angry. And that rarely happens to me. I couldn't believe that not once throughout my years in school, did a single teacher even mention techniques that, when mastered, can vastly improve one's memory. There were were so many requirements for rote learning which could have been much more easily and effectively accomplished through the application of a memory aid or two. Of course I can't blame my teachers, the information was out there and I never went looking for it.

Both of these could be covered in a class about how to learn, and continually revised in most classes.

[Brutha]

Of course I can't blame my teachers, the information was out there and I never went looking for it.

I would say you can, it is their job to help you to learn.
Sure you can learn everything at your own, but the very idea of a teacher is that he helps you to learn.

Despite our disagreement in the "left/brain right" thread we seem to have a similar position dispite semantics