Schools give a ton of information that most students do not absorb. I know I learned a lot more history and science than my peers because my learning style was unique. I am an audial learner, I learn by hearing people talk. This is different from visual learners and different from the organizational note taking learners that excel at learning what they write down.
My learning style was particularly suited to lecture style teaching which was how high school and college courses are typically taught. I struggled with math and reading in elementary school, which is designed more for visual learners. Later school was easy mode for me. If I did poorly in a class it was because I didn’t do the required work.
My memory isn’t as good as it used to be. The only studying I needed to do was read aloud in my mind and I am a very quick reader. I always end up waiting when I am reading something with someone else. Always. Now, I will say things out loud sometimes to help me remember. I am not talking to myself in the sense it isn’t a conversation, I do not expect or want an answer. I am merely hearing my voice say something I want to remember to do. Sometimes writing things down helps, reinforce my memory as well.
I guess the only thing I feel that schools should be teaching now is some basic life skills. I have noticed that the younger people that go into my work do not know how to write a check, or address a letter. Seems like financial learning would be good too. How to balance a checkbook and keep a budget. I think these were skills that people were taught by their parents or their bosses at one time. But, now no one is teaching them theses skills at all with some exceptions. Employers certainly don’t consider it their duty. They will help set up direct deposit but that’s about it. Parents sometimes teach these skills, but a lot don’t.
One could argue that letters and checks are going away. But occasionally you do need to fill out a money order. Even if you use a debit card, you still need to keep a tab on your spending and where your money is going. You still have bills to pay, even if they are automatic. You still need to plan and make sure the funds are there when needed. There are certain instances where a company will demand written correspondence. I had to do this to cancel a gym membership, I had to write to their headquarters despite trying to cancel via phone. Email wasn’t good enough either. I had to physically send them a letter.
Knowledge is important. The thing is, even if schools had a financial life skills class, I am not sure most of the students would actually take in the knowledge. Most people go through mandatory school like serving time in jail. They just survive it. Making kids want to learn and retain this knowledge would be the next step after offering it. How to make school something most want to do? They need to figure that one out and then more people will get more out of the experience.
The Infamous Jennisfora Strikes Again...or something like that 