What is technical education?
Technical education is essentially the “’how-to’ of industrial production and commercial enterprise” (Senrau 113). Technical education consists of teaching skills that contribute to students’ technical capabilities, stressing subjects such as science and math. Traditionally, Japanese students have thrived in environments that stress technical education, and the result is workers who are “well-educated, especially in math and science” (Senrau 105). Similarly to Japan, Russian education also had technical successes, such as “the launch of Sputnik” (Senrau 107).
One of the most prominent examples of technical education occurs in India, which produces “more software engineers than any country in the world” (Senrau 109). However, due to minimal jobs, most of these highly trained technical professionals move to more developed countries. Germany also stresses technical education, and the secondary school “prepares them to pursue a technical and vocational education” (Senrau 109). In the higher educational system in Sweden, courses often focus on “a technical nature” (Senrau 109).
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What is classical education?
Classical education is essentially “rooted in the finest ideas and ideals of the past” (Senrau 113). Classical education consists of different topics, depending on the country. In ancient history, Alexander the Great established a “center of learning” in a conquered city on the Egyptian coast, which he named Alexandria. This center contained a huge library that was “filled with great scrolls in many languages” (Senrau 97). In Mesoamerican, this type of education focused heavily on “astronomy (with related mathematics) and memorizing ancient tales” (Senrau 108). In China, the scholar was “the most respected citizen below the emperor” (Senrau 110). In the United States, classical education consisted of “theology and sacred texts, mathematics, rhetoric, and the ancient languages of Latin and Greek” (Senrau 97). Some countries still offer a form of classical education today, such as Germany, which offers an educational track “rooted in a classical education that serves as the basis of a future university career” (Senrau 109).
What is elite education?
Elite education is essentially “intended not to make one rich but to make the children of the rich more refined” (Senrau 113). Elite education consisted of the education for the elite in Great Britain, and the majority of factory workers and farm laborers were highly unlikely to have had much formal education at all (Senrau 103). Elite education was very important for the sons of “landed gentry” since they would not receive land in an inheritance, and in response they “needed a profession in law, medicine, government, the church or military” (Senrau 103). Today, there are still successful British boarding schools, which many newly wealthy families prefer so that their children can acquire “elite breeding, profitable acquaintances, and an entry into the upper level of British society” (Senrau 104).
In addition to the United Kingdom, Japan originally offered elite education to a small number of students. This type of discipline “traditionally stressed discipline, order, and harmony (some would say conformity), as well as a great deal of study and memorization” (Senrau 105). Czarist Russia also offered an elite education, which predominantly specialized in the tradition of literature and arts, and similarly to Great Britain, the “vast peasantry” was illiterate (Senrau 107).
Response to Student A
You make an excellent point when you state, “A great example will be the electricians, plumbers and construction workers.” To supplement your point, I would also add that technical education also consists of highly specialized skills, such as those involved in engineering and computer programming. Another valid point that you make is “In my opinion, a combination of technical and classical education is necessary in the emerging globalized society.” In today’s times, it seems as though most people believe that a technical education is the most important education at all, and a classical education is not really necessary. However, it is important to stress liberal arts, as these help to hone students’ reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.
Response to Student B
You make a good point when you state, “They are valuable skills that require training, but are considered lower on the spectrum of education because they require manual labor.” However, even in technical training for jobs such as auto repair or electrician work, there is a large degree of technical training involved that requires mathematical reasoning and technical design. For example, electricians need to understand multiple formulas in order to solve more complicated problems. Manual labor is a requirement for many of these jobs, but additional mental skills are also necessary. I also agree with you completely when you say, “People should be free to choose if they’d like a technical career or a more abstract or artsy career based on their personal attributes and interests, not their economical disposition or caste in society.” I think denying someone an educational opportunity based on his or her educational background is terrible. This is part of the reason why the American University system is so popular with international students: Everyone, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, has a chance to obtain admission if they work hard.
- Sernau, S. Global Problems: The Search for Equity, Peace, and Sustainability. New
