Jan 06, 2017 11:33 AM EST By Chris Brandt, UniversityHerald Reporter

In the past few years, there has been a strong emphasis on character building, promoting happiness, and building self-esteem in the classroom. It seems like everything has been tackled by educators in the desire to be labeled as innovative but left one important element out of the picture - education itself. Here are five suggestions of what needs to change if students are to thrive not only in the classroom but in real life as well.

Go back to the basics

With "going back to the basics," it means really imparting knowledge or educating children and young people, not indoctrinating them. There is a difference between education and indoctrination. When you educate a child, he becomes more aware, free leading them to think and choose for themselves. Whereas in indoctrination, you promote fear and you suppress children by forcing them to believe what you believe. This kind of viewpoint breeds ignorance and hatred.

Teach subjects

There's no problem in teaching "character" or promote social justice. However, we have to go back to the basic question why do schools exist in the first place? To impart knowledge, which can only happen if teachers give children full access to powerful knowledge that is based on academic disciplines. Moreover, teaching them "character" alone is like cheating them the knowledge there's suppose to have.

Education is for everyone

Education begins with the belief that everyone should be educated in various academic disciplines at the highest level possible. However, there is an error proliferating nowadays that some students can't learn certain subjects; thus, a different type of education is needed for them. This is especially true when it comes to STEM where discrimination happens.

Let teachers teach

Edtech software and video are great supplements for learning but they should never take the place of teachers. It might be considered an old-fashioned idea, but nothing beats the kind of engagement a teacher provides for their students. For their part, teachers need to exercise their creativity how to engage their students while imparting knowledge based on academic disciplines.

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