What can the study of the history of learning tell us about learning Essay

What can the study of the history of learning tell us about learning today - Essay Example While in the beginning, learning was considered to be an end to itself, in the course of the progression of technology learning became the means to an end, which made the purpose of learning deviate from its origins (Carmack, n.d.). It is important to find out how such changes happened, as well as why these occurred since in order to find out how to adjust learning methods effectively, it is vital that learning methods of the past must also be studied because these information will give valuable insights on how to make learning purposeful and effective for students, based on the current perspectives of contemporary society. In order to present the importance of understanding the relevance of how learning operated in the past, examples of contrasting elements between ancient learning such as in the times of the Greco-Roman cultures and the modern progressive learning methods that most contemporary society now experiences today will be used. Three possible differences that can be obser ved are: 1) the reasons for learning; 2) the lessons to be learned by the students; and 3) how these methods are implemented in schools. These three differences are relevant to the explanations since the evolution of learning was affected by mostly societal and cultural changes, especially during the Industrial Revolution, and beyond (Power, 1991). Thus it would be easier to correlate the importance of learning in any kind of society as well as the changes that occur in the process of passing on knowledge on each succession of generations. It can be said that the shifting priorities of the society, from having strong relations with the past and traditions, to looking forward to new possibilities in the future were able to usher such changes, which not only made learning a widely-accepted idea, but also essential to everyday living (Lawrence, 1970). In the past, greater focus is given to the artistic side of living, which can explain why in ancient learning there has been a bigger em phasis on the rhetoric, grammar, styles, as well as oratorical prowess of students, with particular mention of the upper and middle classes, while skills related to craftsmanship are passed down to the working classes. Based on the premises, education can either be an end, or a means to an end, depending on the societal ranking of the learners. Also, there is a prominent idea that students must adjust to the lessons, as well as having to learn general subjects without having to put too much focus on narrowed-down careers, thus leaving no room for the development of individuality. On the other hand, due to the development of various fields, not only do students have greater choices in careers, they are also given other options in what to learn, which is very different from the concept of learning during ancient times. In modern learning there has been greater focus both on the individual aspect as well as the specificities of lessons, depending on what end is needed to be achieved (C armack, n.d.). At present, students are not forced to learn pure rhetoric, and are actually encouraged to choose lessons that interest them or would make good careers in the future. Thus, with regards to the difference between ancient and modern learning, the former gives greater importance on passing classical knowledge of arts to the next generation, while in the latter there is greater importance on learning various aspects of how society operates in preparation for jobs or careers in the future. In relation to the reasons for learning, the kinds of lessons that students must learn also differ between modern and ancient times due to the influence of changes in societal needs and trends. For example, ancient learning focuses more

INTB3000 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

INTB3000 - Essay Example lobal, acting local and thinking local, acting global, need to exist side by side because contrary to the general perception that building a brand sells it, the actual key to success is local passion for the brand coupled with a feeling of local pride and ownership. Examples of thinking global, acting local: 1. Retaining a clearly focused target product, so that the nature of the product was clear in the customer’s mind – Vicks was a rub for colds 2. Not growing complacent with the 20% growth that made Vicks no: 1 in India, but growing the market and benchmarking against the best in the world 2. Using an efficient, low cost local distribution system and 3. Using local ayurvedic medicinal products to prepare additional Vicks preparations apart from the rub for colds. Thinking local, acting global: 1. The global strategy was to increase advertising during the winter months, but Vicks Vaporub stepped up its advertising in the monsoon months, when local conditions caused more colds. 2. Positioning the 5 gm tin for the middle class and pricing a package of 4 such tins lower than a 19 gm jar, because it was specifically targeted at the middle class. Das and Vicks Vaporub were so successful in India because they were able to understand their consumers and act to satisfy their needs. They were able to use the existing, low cost distribution networks perfected by traders to avoid excessive costs along the supply chain. When chemists and pharmacists across the nation came together to boycott Vicks, the Company changed its registration from Western to Indian medicine to extend this distribution networks to food shops and local grocers, thus avoiding the strike altogether. 1. Being receptive to regional variations, i.e, suiting the product to fit opportunities available in the local market; for example using the monsoon as an opportunity to step up advertising during summer months. In a country like Russia, the economy was in a state of transition from a