The Birth Of Education

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Lineweber 1 Rachel Lineweber ENG 102 Dr. D. Dorman 17 September 2011 The Birth of Education If there are definitions of the word education available in dictionaries, why has such a controversy arose over what it really means to be educated? The answer seems to be simple on the surface: to be taught skills. But when the history and dissection of the word education is speculated, then the meaning becomes somewhat subjective. A new question is born: how does one become educated? Are there many different ways? Or is it only possible through reading? Although reading has been the primary means of education for centuries, and still serves as an excellent source of learning, it is not limited to itself and does not remain necessary to ones education. There are various ways in today's society that one can become an educated person. With the number of television programs, lectures, and pod-casts there are today, it is without a doubt that someone can learn almost anything they want by the push of a button. From TV alone, there are educational programs about the civil war, personal finance, anatomy of animals, and even the atmospheric conditions on mars. It is somewhat obvious that education is just not limited to books anymore. It is important to remember though, that watching these shows and listening to lectures alone, just as simply reading a book and moving on to the next, will not make you educated. In order to become a truly educated person, one must be able to use the tools that have been taught in order to think critically and act in such a way that enhances ones life. In an essay written by Richard Rodriguez, “The Lonely, Good Company of Books,” the author tells about his love affair with books. He discovered a desire to read at a young age, and the volume and content was important to him. He believed his education was dependent on how many, and

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