I have a hobby which is playing around with blender. It is a 3D tool, easy to learn by yourself (just try) and create 3D models.
My favourite physics teacher is Richard Feynman. He was in fact a physicist, the father of nanotechnology, but cared a lot about populizing physics. I know him through his books. For me he is the ultimate educator and thinker. Why? Because he never wanted to give the impression that he knows everything. Education was everything he was not, any time in the history. His father encouraged him to ask questions and challenge overdue reasonings. It wasn’t that way in schools for centuries.
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I imagined what would he have been saying in various classrooms. So I created my 3D Feynman school with four classrooms from different eras. Mr. Feynman has a message for us in every classroom.
I have approximate answers and possible beliefs with different degrees of uncertainty.
The first public schools started to spread worldwide from the 16th century. They mainly promoted religious moral teaching. The purpose of education was to plant fear of God and duty to their elders in the youngsters' minds. Rote memorisation were paired with corporal punishment. Asking questions could have involved a painstaking spanking.
I can live with doubt and uncertainty and not knowing. It is much more interesting to live not knowing than have answers which might be wrong.
With the advent of the industrial revolution things got even worse. Education gradually became mandatory everywhere, but its purpose and method didn't change much. It served the interest of societies well, by training weak-minded, easily manipulated youth. The teachers were not challenged with questions. Schools produced obedient workers, who can tolerate highly monotonous work for long hours.
There are many things I don't know about them. But I don't have to know an answer. I don't feel frightened by not knowing.
Discipline was paramount, breaking the children’s will. Obedience was the prevailing virtue throughout the history of mankind, as it served well each and every society. The curriculum was standardised, in a one-size-fits-all fashion. Classes were timed and scheduled. Kids were grouped by their age not by their abilities. They sat quietly during the lessons. Asking a question? Out of the question. They regurgitated whatever is taught. They became good workers, good voters.
Oh my, am I talking in past tense?
I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.
Whatever, the days of outdated education are numbered. So let’s listen to Mr. Feynman and ask great questions even if nobody can answer yet. Let's use our brain.