steam-oregon.academy

Ouroboros is the Egyptian and Greek symbol of continuity, infinite represented by snake or dragon that is eating itself. The symbol represents the idea that the end is the beginning and the beginning is the end.

Every day, every moment is part of the process. As it has been said before nobody steps in the same river twice! But it is the same person and it is the same river. So, this is where is are in education. We need to continue and we need to change.

And, it happening! You can see how new needs are being created by the death of old paradigms. Higher education is being transformed in a way that is hard to envision. Universities and colleges are eliminating departments and majors. In some cases the programs eliminated have been created not long ago. Some have been around for many years, but their name has lost the luster of bygone years.

The studies that have been hurt the most are those related to the humanities. Philosophy among them. As if there is no use of these studies, as if these studies are not practical. School administrators have use the low enrollment argument to justify these closures. Economic reasons they say!

As colleges and universities are businesses, the economic reason is a valid one. But how do we see it if we think that learning organizations are not traditional businesses. Institutions in charge of learning have and must have higher ends than just making money. The investment needs to come from society and the return on investment ROI must benefit society as a whole. This is why we have “state” run universities. And they are doing the best to perform in the benefit of their constituents. Same idea has been spread when talking about collegial sports. The benefits derived from these sports, financed by the universities, nurture a solid community. A sense of belonging that is healthy in a community.

These big state supported institutions can’t satisfy the needs of our society so smaller, mainly private, institutions have spread all over the world. They are an integral and important element of the educational system. But being private means that they do not have the direct and open support of the state. Private learning institutions depend on private support and fees like tuition.

So what happens when smaller private institutions can’t afford to sustain majors that, supposedly, are not leading to a lucrative career? As they close these departments opportunities arise to those who know how to make these disciplines practical and economically feasible.

Afterschool programs have an opportunity here, teaching life-long skills and supporting students finding their calling, the passion in the lives that will help them find not only a miningful life but also a sustainable career. On top of that these students will become constructive members of society and will contribute to the betterment of the world.

So what are the characteristics of these “afterschool” programs? Three main characteristics must be achieved. 1st. They should help student find joy in learning. 2nd. They must break the disciplinary barriers that traditional schooling has created, and 3rd. They need to provide a safe space where everybody can honestly be themselves.

In future posts we will explore more about these three conditions.