I think at least since Foucault (Discipline and Punish and so on) public schools are afraid of being too intimidating or prison-like. And I think thats good! Schools should foster creativity and critical thinking, and shouldnt look up to be a cloister!
I agree that public schools are afraid of being too intimidating. But I don't think that's good. It doesn't take crazy colours and super-graphics to foster creativity, it takes teaching staff who are willing to nurture and acccommodate it.
Personally, I would much rather see a subtle and considered design that allows students to be rewarded as they live in and stare at it for seven years than the current trend for wacky and colourful environments that only promote the inherent skin-deep, instant gratification thinking that goes along with it.
I can't help but feel that the notion that schools should be primarily be fun is a bit of a fallacy. Learning can be fun, but at that age it often isn't. But it is still important, and coming to terms with that relationship is an important lesson. Expecting life to always be multi-coloured and fun isn't.
Feb 16, 09 3:36 pm ·
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I think at least since Foucault (Discipline and Punish and so on) public schools are afraid of being too intimidating or prison-like. And I think thats good! Schools should foster creativity and critical thinking, and shouldnt look up to be a cloister!
I agree that public schools are afraid of being too intimidating. But I don't think that's good. It doesn't take crazy colours and super-graphics to foster creativity, it takes teaching staff who are willing to nurture and acccommodate it.
Personally, I would much rather see a subtle and considered design that allows students to be rewarded as they live in and stare at it for seven years than the current trend for wacky and colourful environments that only promote the inherent skin-deep, instant gratification thinking that goes along with it.
I can't help but feel that the notion that schools should be primarily be fun is a bit of a fallacy. Learning can be fun, but at that age it often isn't. But it is still important, and coming to terms with that relationship is an important lesson. Expecting life to always be multi-coloured and fun isn't.
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