Thursday, September 24, 2009

Reflection #9 EDF1005

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #9 EDF1005 (First School VS Ancient Egyptian Education)
The structure and development of school has change drastically over the years. The first school unlike today was developed in Samaria as a result of the cuneiform system of writing which most significantly contributed to civilization. While on the other hand in Ancient Egypt school emerged as a way to educated sons of priest and people with high status. In this article I will compare the reading of the First School and Ancient Egyptian Education. I will also express my thoughts on teacher effectiveness then and now.
The First School of Samaria was established on a basis of economic development, and schools were more for professional development. Small inscribed coins were used to keep records of most of the Samarian economic life. There were also records of study and practice found as early as 3000BC. The school was mainly focus on teaching scribes for economic development and administration demand of the land. Over the years, the school has become the center of learning. This entailed a wide variety of studied field such as Theology, Zoology, Mathematics and grammar and these are just a few. After being educated, many scribes’ serves in the temple while others devote themselves to teaching and learning. Needless to say only the wealthy was able to afford to educate their children. Students learn through memorizing information by repeating stuff, and learning was based on memory.
In ancient Egypt learning took place at an initial stage as a child. Children often model their parents or adult and at this stage they were actually learning skill to be used as an adult. They were taught the trade of their parents and were not able to choose profession freely. Adults thought them the culture, rituals and other moral values. Prince and princesses were formally educated while those of less social status were taught skill or other home management duties. Like The First School, Ancient Egypt scribes were taught through memorizing information, which was done through a rigorous process.
Today there are more opportunity to get an education in most parts of the world. However teaching and learning techniques are changing each to accommodate different learners. There are more resources and tools to assist in teaching a lesson hence, it can be said that teaching is more effective than in ancient time. Students are now given an opportunity to visualize certain key concepts which as a result enhance their learning ability. I would assume that students with learning disabilities had no place in their system of learning. Teacher are able to develop skills in enhancing students with different learning style which reflect some aspect of effectiveness.