Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Should reasoning skills be taught in primary school? Why or why not?
I feel that reasoning skills should be taught in primary schools. Why, well I think of my favorite educational experiences from grade school- Current Events and Science. The first encompassed reading the newspaper (adult activity) therein I ‘got’ to, do my own research (encyclopedia Britannica), ask my parents their opinions then sit down and think things through, putting my own opinion into words. The second, Science, also encouraged research and interaction with others before putting together my own experiment. The structure of these exercises still influence my actions and decisions today. Although these activities really stood out for me I still learned the fundamentals of reading, writing, math… I believe incorporating reasoning skills in today’s primary schooling would prove extremely advantageous in the lives of our young people.
How can we go wrong by allowing children to develop a more critical awareness of the skills that constitute higher forms of thinking? As advantageous as the plethora of information, games, creativity and communication offered by technology today is, the idea of reasoning is not very present in these activities. People need people. We learn from each other, we grow through this knowledge of sharing information and, we do not learn to hold proper social skills without others. The concern that teaching reasoning would detract from traditional subjects is more like a worry and worry is well, just worry. We advanced into the world of technology which has proven vastly beneficial, let that be a lesson that although change is uncomfortable it is also inevitable and ultimately quite beneficial. There were many who scoffed when the Wright brothers talked of building a machine that would fly, many of whom thought nothing of it years later as airplanes took flight. . Teaching reasoning in primary school can only serve to compliment traditional subjects/structure in the classroom. My 5 nephews and 1 niece, from the ages of 4-13 each have their own computers that are used with great efficiency. Two of them play virtual chess with youngsters their own age. Reasoning skills already apply to video games as well as chess via technology and I feel can only serve to expound on one’s desire to learn other subjects.
The idea is not to erase or even inhibit ‘impulsivity’ which is necessary in some situations. I believe strongly in the idea that “every medium has it’s strengths and weaknesses” like technology, and every medium assists in developing cognitive skills.
Knowledge with reasoning skills is power. With the combined knowledge of tradition/history, ever growing technology, and reasoning/critical thinking we would be developing generations of leaders, teacher, entrepreneurs and athletes’ via ingenuity and open-mindedness beyond the scope of today. Putting aside the recent headlines, it is true that Tiger Woods was raised with reasoning skills from a very young age. I do not know his education in traditional subjects but feel it is pretty obvious that the reasoning he was taught to put into his golf game has proved beneficial. Same goes for other successful people whose focus in one area, developing reasoning, making well though out choices, has been key.
Learning reasoning in primary school can encourage greater participation in one’s own health and well-being therefore contributing to a child’s self-esteem and well-being. This is priceless. The development of a healthy curiosity into understanding other points of view with respect and dignity fosters positive relations all around- professional, personal and social. Thinking ‘creatively’ engenders a feeling of having control over your life. A primary school student may not know this outright but that feeling will be present. Personal choices will be made as opposed to choices led by peer pressure or emotions. Consequential thinking can also be developed via reasoning skills.
An adolescent’s brain well-developed, matures with age and experience and can have a hugely beneficial effect for their learning other subjects. I feel reasoning skills encourage not hinder, literacy by creating enthusiasm not only for learning but also for interacting with others, perhaps at times even enjoying interactions with those of differing opinions more than those with like-minded opinions.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Blog Three
When was the last ime I was bothered by something real and important? What did I do about it?
"First do no harm" namely to do good or to do no harm. http://www.ancienthistory.about.com/
This becomes a more prevelent statement from once one experiences a doctor who arrogantly ignores this creed. My opinion states that doctors must be held accountable and experience consequences from a higher order when their care is considerably below par. "What to do when Doctors simply do not adhere to sage standards?" Doctors must admit and be held accountable for when the quality of care a patient receives is not delivered, getting past professional arrogance."http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/7/health/17chen.html there must be a balance between blame and accountability...a need for increased accountability and the impact of such on patient and doctor realationship.
I went to the doctor in October 2009 to have a cyst removed from my scalp. I have had this done two times before without incident. One was in the same location and was the same size.
This time went terribly wrong. There was trouble stopping the bleeding, I was bandaged quite heavily and sent home. I was told to lie back and take it easy that the bleeding would stop. I had to return to the office not 15 minutes after leaving because the bleeding was very heavy and coming through the bandages and down my neck. Upon my return efforts to alleviate the bleeding with pressure were painful and fruitless but went on for 20 minutes. When Dr. X who thought it was enough to leave me with her PA (physician assistant), was finally called she literally 'dug around' my scalp and found two torn veins. In the following 2.5 hours I was operated on without any anesthetic. Screaming, crying. Dr. X actually yelled at me and instructed her staff (PA and receptionist) to 'shut me up'. In the end Dr. X made a joke about my 'bloody' appearance. Bandaged me and sent me home. The pain would be beyond your imagination.
I needed much support in the following days most of which helped me find Dr. Y who was willing to do the follow-up care. I had to cover my head for more than 3 months as an open wound this size is very suseptible to infection. I learned that I was not the first patient of Dr. X that Dr. Y had treated. And also learned of other people who were apalled from their own Dr. X experience. None as severe as mine. I regret that these men and women chose not to report their experiences, and that Dr. Y discouraged me from doing so also stating. 'it could have been worse, an eye, limb....' "Good Physicians know the bad ones in their midst. Why don't they point fingers?"http://www.rd-com/living-healthy
A malpractice lawyer told me I was "not damaged enough' another lawyer took the time to explain to me the difference in today's law, between malpractice and poor medical care. This information was interesting and helpful. I followed his suggestion to report my experience to the Arizona Medical Board. This process encompasses a lengthy adjudification process of which Dr. X is privy to all my information yet I am not privy to any communication between her and AZMD.
The process was long because Dr. X was not responding to AZMD's investigators calls. More than 4 months later I received notice that no action would be taken against Dr. X at this time and I was thanked for my participation. I conclude that 'Promoting safety, doing it right, takes time and money. Ethics and professionalism are important but not enough.' http://nytimes.com/2009/12/17/health/17chen.html
I have gone over the situation and must still conclude that without consequences and/or greater resources for the patient who is harmed, this type of carelessness will continue to eventually have greater consequence to the patient. For now I will do thorough checks of a doctor before putting myself in their hands, I will bring someone with me for the entire visit, ask lots of questions and not hesitate at all to walk away if I sense that's what I must do.
"First do no harm" namely to do good or to do no harm. http://www.ancienthistory.about.com/
This becomes a more prevelent statement from once one experiences a doctor who arrogantly ignores this creed. My opinion states that doctors must be held accountable and experience consequences from a higher order when their care is considerably below par. "What to do when Doctors simply do not adhere to sage standards?" Doctors must admit and be held accountable for when the quality of care a patient receives is not delivered, getting past professional arrogance."http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/7/health/17chen.html there must be a balance between blame and accountability...a need for increased accountability and the impact of such on patient and doctor realationship.
I went to the doctor in October 2009 to have a cyst removed from my scalp. I have had this done two times before without incident. One was in the same location and was the same size.
This time went terribly wrong. There was trouble stopping the bleeding, I was bandaged quite heavily and sent home. I was told to lie back and take it easy that the bleeding would stop. I had to return to the office not 15 minutes after leaving because the bleeding was very heavy and coming through the bandages and down my neck. Upon my return efforts to alleviate the bleeding with pressure were painful and fruitless but went on for 20 minutes. When Dr. X who thought it was enough to leave me with her PA (physician assistant), was finally called she literally 'dug around' my scalp and found two torn veins. In the following 2.5 hours I was operated on without any anesthetic. Screaming, crying. Dr. X actually yelled at me and instructed her staff (PA and receptionist) to 'shut me up'. In the end Dr. X made a joke about my 'bloody' appearance. Bandaged me and sent me home. The pain would be beyond your imagination.
I needed much support in the following days most of which helped me find Dr. Y who was willing to do the follow-up care. I had to cover my head for more than 3 months as an open wound this size is very suseptible to infection. I learned that I was not the first patient of Dr. X that Dr. Y had treated. And also learned of other people who were apalled from their own Dr. X experience. None as severe as mine. I regret that these men and women chose not to report their experiences, and that Dr. Y discouraged me from doing so also stating. 'it could have been worse, an eye, limb....' "Good Physicians know the bad ones in their midst. Why don't they point fingers?"http://www.rd-com/living-healthy
A malpractice lawyer told me I was "not damaged enough' another lawyer took the time to explain to me the difference in today's law, between malpractice and poor medical care. This information was interesting and helpful. I followed his suggestion to report my experience to the Arizona Medical Board. This process encompasses a lengthy adjudification process of which Dr. X is privy to all my information yet I am not privy to any communication between her and AZMD.
The process was long because Dr. X was not responding to AZMD's investigators calls. More than 4 months later I received notice that no action would be taken against Dr. X at this time and I was thanked for my participation. I conclude that 'Promoting safety, doing it right, takes time and money. Ethics and professionalism are important but not enough.' http://nytimes.com/2009/12/17/health/17chen.html
I have gone over the situation and must still conclude that without consequences and/or greater resources for the patient who is harmed, this type of carelessness will continue to eventually have greater consequence to the patient. For now I will do thorough checks of a doctor before putting myself in their hands, I will bring someone with me for the entire visit, ask lots of questions and not hesitate at all to walk away if I sense that's what I must do.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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