Kinesthetic Learning Style

There are many learning styles (visual, social, auditory, kinesthetic, and etc.). Aristotle was a kinesthetic learner.  Kinesthetic learners are the type of people that learn by doing things.  Instead of hearing a boring lecture or seeing a picture of someone else's research.  Kinesthetic learners are adventurous and like to explore. 

A lot of schools have just lectures.  They should be a thing of the past, but they're not.  Instead of telling kids a certain vocabulary word and memorizing it, give them a group project, so they can collaborate and apply what they've learned.  People will put their initials next to the part of the assignment that they had completed.  That will make sure that no one is slacking and everyone gets the amount of credit that they deserve.

The modern day American school system spoon feeds their students, which is wrong.  It doesn't allow students to ponder about things.  It doesn't allow students to think out side the box or become independent. 

If a teacher tells you what a tree is like, you shouldn't take notes and then memorize them.  Go out there and see an actual tree.  Use your senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound), and find out if the teacher is wrong.  You should always be skeptical and ask questions. 

School vs. Education

School and education are two completely different things.  School is about bubbling in multiple choice answers, answering the question to what the teacher or professor wants to hear, doing a ton of busy work, memorizing things just before the test, caring more about getting good grades than actually learning the material (being performance goal oriented), teachers only teaching for the test--not for life, a fast paced curriculum that forces students to memorize the material and teachers and professors to go at such a fast rate; even the best teacher can't teach things as they should be taught.

Education isn't limited to school walls--it's a lifelong journey.  It's about being street and book smart.  It's also about adapting to your surroundings; otherwise known as intelligence.  Education is also about being smart, which means that you retain information.  Not only should you retain information, but you should know how to use that information and apply it.  Even if you don't know what the answer is, then you should be able to find it.  Education is equivalent to having the knowledge.

How to do Better in School

You should do some extra credit. If your teachers didn't already offer some, then ask. If they see that you're a hard worker, then I'm sure they'll be glad to offer you some extra credit.

Don't be afraid to ask the teacher for help. Raise your hand during class if you have any questions, talk to them after class, or get a tutor.
 
Use mind mapping.  Instead of writing your notes in complete sentences, draw bubbles like you did when you were younger.  In the center should be the main concept.  Then, the other concepts should branch off of that.  So, in the center could be school and then items that branch off of that could be: learning, standardized tests, teachers, students, grades, and etc.  Each topic can have things that branch off of them.  For example: grades--could also have: curving, favoritism, and extra credit.  Everything should be one word or a phrase; you only need what's necessary.  This will teach students quality over quantity.  Use different colors and draw pictures, so that it will be easier to remember.  During the test, students will think to themselves about which color everything was.  One student will say, "I remember that I put learning in blue and I made a textbook."

How to Study

You should study a little bit every day, so that you're not overwhelmed. Studying the night before or the day of the test is the worst thing that you can do. You should study for 20 minutes and then take a short break and study for another 20 minutes. During the break, you can go on a walk, check your e-mail, or talk on the phone. Then, you can take study for another 20 minutes and then take another break and study for another 20 minutes.  You should study for a grand total of 60 minutes. Studies have shown that people remember the first and last things that they read or hear. This method will allow you to have six peaks, so you'll retain more information.
 
Pay very close attention to words that are in bold or words that the teacher talks about often in class. Read the review section--if there is one in your textbook.

Restoring the Meaning of Education

Restoring the Meaning of Education is a non-profit organization that wants to improve the school system across the globe. RME started about two months ago and has already gained a lot of people's attention. RME has over 2,000 friends on Facebook, almost 350 followers on Twitter, and over 150 views on Youtube.

Restoring the Meaning of Education's website is about: the school system, socioeconomic status, success, globalization, how to have a better memory, what type of learner you are and what that means, creating a better future, wellness, and so much more.

Restoring the Meaning of Education wants to make school: practical, safe, less stressful, interactive, fun, and affordable.

Add Restoring the Meaning on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and subscribe them on Youtube. They also have Yahoo! Messenger. Get involved and let your voice be heard!

Restoring the Meaning of Education’s website has: videos, poll & blog questions, and a forum. The site is updated on a daily basis.

Their site has crucial information like updates from President Obama.

If you or anyone that you know would like to join, then please let them know. If you have any: questions, concerns, or suggestions, or want to contribute, then please send an e-mail to rme2011@yahoo.com.

Website: http://restoringthemeaningofeducation.weebly.com/index.html
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rme_11
Facebook Organization Page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Restoring-the-Meaning-of-Education/175192982490877?sk=info
Other Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001775871264
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/rme2011

Standardized Testing

Yong Zhao, a professor at Michigan State University, said, “Education should focus on developing children’s strengths, not “fixing their deficiencies.”’ Children need to focus on what they’re passionate about. Zhao reinforced this concept throughout his speech. If students continue to be pushed to learn something that they don’t like, then they will lose passion. This will eliminate the diversity. Zhao said, “This would eliminate people like Michael Phelps because he can’t read.” In other words, Zhao wants to keep art and music classes because everyone is talented in something; not everyone is good at math—maybe they’re good at history. Zhao also mentioned that schools have mandatory national tests on two subjects, which are math and science. This ignores other classes like history and English. It’s basically telling everyone that only math and science are important. Lastly, Zhao exclaimed, “Education is not a business; it should be faith based like a church!” Zhao went on to say, “We need to preserve the dreams of a child.”

Which country has the best education system, and why?

The answer is Finland.

Here are the reasons why:
1) They have 3 teachers in the classroom at all times. This allows teachers to work one on one with their students and find out what they're having problems with.
2) It's a relaxed environment--kids can ask more questions.
3) They live in superb neighborhoods that value education--only 2 percent of students drop out. While 25 percent of Americans drop out of school.

Here is a list of things that I think they should change in their education system:
1) All teachers have a master's degree. This should be changed--just because you attended school for a longer time doesn't mean that you're more intelligent than someone else. School isn't an accurate measure of a person's intelligence level at all. A lot of well educated men & women didn't even attend college. Bill Gates is a perfect example of this.
2) Over there, they expect students to speak four languages. If they're not going to visit that particular country, then what's the point? I'm sure that most of those kids don't want to learn four languages. Schools should focus on their native language. I'm not saying that foreign languages should be offered. I'm just saying that they shouldn't be mandatory.