I found this essay to be one of my favorite essays we have read so far. I found it interesting to read because of the author’s passion for the subject he was writing about. The author authors just listed facts, but Barber provided countless arguments and examples and wrote with a strong passion that I found very intriguing. I felt this author made excellent arguments. The US is a country based on equality and freedom yet all IUP students can drink is Pepsi? Where is the freedom of choice in this? I agree with his argument that good citizens must be educated citizens. I also believe that equality of education is non existent now. I believe that is unfair that some people are naturally given the right to better education just based upon the area they were grown up in. It is not fair that poverty stricken children have to attend poor schools that lack even one computer, yet I was given the chance to attend a high school with multiple computers in every room. I am not sure what can be done to fix this problem (if anything) but something needs to change. I know the Declaration of Independence was based upon ideals and we do not live in a utopia, but equal education is something that I believe should be a right just like equal free speech. My favorite part of the article was the author’s demonstration of how heroism has changed recently. Like most people, my heroes growing up were the Michael Jordan type people in the world. However, after seeing the firemen rush into falling buildings, risking their lives for people they have never seen before, my definition along with many Americans was forever changed. I also found it interesting to see how the author views his role as a college professor and educator. He believes that in order to fix the world it is up to our educators. He feels that the future of liberty and democracy in America and the world rely on the educators. I believe the author has hit the nail right on the head. I know growing up that I trusted everything my teachers said so I believe that educators have very powerful voices. Educators are responsible for producing the future of our nation and if done properly, these educators can make our future one that will not have September 11 repeat.
February 10, 2008 at 10:08 pm
This is a great blog on the education article. This blog was great in the ways you explained key points in te article and you discuessed it well. Theres thing in this post that i dont agree with but just the passion you put into this was great. The way you discussed his passion was imaculate and ur piont of view on education was deep. Not all post are this indept with detail and passion. Just by reading this I felt I read the article and felt tha passion you had. I agree with you that it is not right on how much money we make determines the quality of our education and it does need to change. I wouldnt go out and say I trusted everything my teachers said but what they do say has a lot of meaning. I dont agree with, educators are responisible for producing our future I think they play a role in producing our future but its not soley on them. Anyway good blog and good passion in the post.
February 11, 2008 at 2:40 am
I couldn’t agree more with your post; however I do have one question. What if educators are wrong? What if they’re acting out of bias? Now I agree with what you say but I believe that it only 100 percent in theory. The idea of “if taught then less mistakes” works great but teachers are human too and are also bound to make errors.
February 12, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Great job Travis – It seems like you have a heart for poverty and equality in education, you should consider both of these topics for your final project. Thanks!