Getting an Insight into American Culture

Pragmatism in American Education

In American society there is a great emphasis on practicality. The curriculum in U.S. schools typically reflects this concern for a pragmatic approach to life. The idea of “experiential learning”, when students experience what they are studying, is much more popular than the idea of “book learning”. The idea of a more practical curriculum belongs to the philosopher John Dewey who argued that children should learn through direct experience and discover knowledge for themselves.

A recent national survey by the Horatio Alger Society backs up the opinion that involving students in more real-world learning experiences would greatly improve student outcomes. Of those students (ages thirteen to nineteen) surveyed, ninety-five percent said opportunities for more real world learning would improve their school. Among adults surveyed, ninety-two percent favored emphasizing real world learning in schools, including work study, community service, and vocational courses (http://www.communityschools.org/results/students2.aspx).

1. Read the following information about two U.S. high schools. How is the idea of combining classroom study with hands-on practical experience and civic responsibility implemented in these schools?

1) At the High School of Computers and Technology in the Bronx enterprising students have rigged the classroom bells to sound a “cuckoo” alarm. Work and play go together here, says robotics teacher Stan Bellis, who is overseeing a student-led team project build a go-kart. “The students like working with their hands. They like thinking things out,” he says. “They have ideas and they come up with solutions and then they try it out.” In addition to the required academic subjects, students are taught all aspects of computer maintenance and repair and graduate with Microsoft certifications that can land them high-paying entry level jobs. Principal Bruce Abramowitz confidently predicts that “of the kids we have graduating this year, I bet none of them wind up [working] in a fast food restaurant flipping burgers” (abridged from http://www.voanews.com/learningenglish/home/The combination of academics and art).

2) The Environmental Charter High School, in Lawndale, California, teaches all standard academic subjects as well as about the environment. Nearly 500 students are enrolled at the high school where they prepare for college. The teens can get close to nature, and explore topics like alternative energy. Student Rigo Estrada says he was the kind of person who threw trash on the street before he came here. “Now that I have seen firsthand videos, I have done beach clean-ups, I have helped develop water-catchment systems, I have taught [students at] elementary schools the importance of water conservation, I know the importance of green and that it actually is a really serious topic.” The school also brings in outside experts, including Nancy Gale, who owns an environmentally-friendly business that makes handbags. “We teach the kids business, marketing, sales, design, and we want to take these students, let them see the entire process that actualizes an intangible product,” said Nancy Gale (abridged from http://www.voanews.com/english/news/education/California-High-School-Has-Environmental-Focus-120810004.html)

2. Do you agree that learning in a real-world context makes students more successful?

Should the principle of “experiential learning” be applied to the Russian school system? Why/ Why not?

3. If you were a high school student, which of the schools described in exercise 1 would you like to go to? Why?

4. Below are lists of electives, clubs and sports that are available at Payette High School (Payette, Idaho). Work in pairs and talk about electives, clubs and sports you would have chosen if you had studied at this school.

Electives

Spanish 1 Spanish 2 Food and Nutrition Foundations of Art Business Management Entrepreneurship Bigger Faster Stronger

Accounting Marketing Jazz Band Guitar Physics Intro to Tech

Botany Early Childhood Teen Living Parenting Drawing Painting

Conditioning Lifetime Sports Ag Science Welding Ag Mechanics Creative Creating

Clubs

Rodeo Pep Club FCCLA Band

Bowling International Cutlass FFA

Science Club DARE Math Club Choir

DECA Drama Club Color Guard

Sports

Tennis Soccer Basketball Baseball

Volleyball Football Softball

Wrestling Cross country Track

Cheerleading Dance team Golf

INTENSIVE READING:

Reading a Personal Story