Eisner- Prep for Today and Tomorrow

Professional Reaction Papers

Submitted by: Katie LeMaster

Submitted for: Mr. Marcus L. Neiman, assistant professor

MUSIC 23241: MUSIC TEACHING AS A PROFESSION

Kent State University – Hugh A. Glauser School of Music

Date: September 14, 2011

Eisner, Elliot W. (2003). Preparing for Today and Tomorrow.

Educational leadership, 6, December 2003- January 2004, 6-10.

Summary of the Article: Eisner thinks that the best way to prepare students for the future is not what subject areas we teach them but we need to teach students how to deal with the present to be able to handle the future. Eisner thinks that most of what students learn in school is only obstacles that students have to get through, not something that would help the students in the future. Eisner thinks that the schools need to introduce problems to the students to develop a more critical mind even though parents may object. Eisner thinks that diversity causes more than one way of learning. He thinks that not all students are the same. He thinks that diversity is the key to a successful democracy. Eisner thinks that schools should teach judgment, critical thinking, meaningful literacy, collaboration, and service. He thinks the best way to prepare students for the future is to teach them how to make the best decision when there isn’t always one solution. A second thing that he thinks should be taught it schools is critical thinking. Critical thinking is about being able to identify specific things that you really have to think about to find the answer. Eisner believes that students should be literate in other areas than reading and writing. Students should be able to read music and other arts. Eisner thinks that students need to be taught how to work together with other students of different races. Working together in collaboration will help form a sense of community that isnt existing as frequently today. Learning through service means that students will help out at cultural centers, hospitals, social agencies and other areas where they could make a difference. Eisner believes to make the changes that he believes needs to happen schools need to put learning first and standardized testing on the back burner. The focus of schools should not be for them to graduate from school but to do well in life. Eisner thinks that we have to think about what curriculum is needed for most students.

Personal statements: In my Education in a Democratic Society class we talked extensively about learning. We talked about how some parents are choosing to send their children to charter schools because they teach more than just core subjects. We had to design a school where the students had to take a active role in their education and they had to solve their own problems. Through solving their own problems they would learn critical thinking and they would learn judgment on what was right.

I agree with the author that schools need to teach more that just core subjects. I think music should be something that everyone should be able to appreciate. I think that most students need to be taught how to make the right decisions because I see many decisions being made to hastily all the time. Schools now a days coddle the student so they aren’t taught responsibility the student doesn’t need to make decisions for themselves. Students are constantly reminded of homework, and all the decisions are made for them. I don’t think the country will be able to move forward with schools as they are.