What Is Education

INTRODUCTION

The word “educate” comes from the Latin word “educare”, which means “to lead out”, or “to bring out”. Education has to do with the process of bringing out of a person that spirit of learning and wonder, the desire to know, that unquenchable thirst for knowledge . Over the years, different educational systems have developed as a result of the human struggle for survival, enlightenment and empowerment. Education has proven to be an indispensable tool in the life of societies or nations because of the invaluable roles it has played and continues to play in the society. Some of the raised questions pertaining to education include: What does it really mean to be educated? When does education actually start? At what point does it end? Is it really necessary for all to be educated? Or should it be for a particular class or gender?

The aim of this paper is to provide answers to the above raised questions. In order to achieve this, I will first give a brief history of education, followed by what education actually means, the different ways people define it and the types of education. Finally, I shall discuss the purposes and functions of education and different learning modalities.

1.0 BRIEF HISTORY OF EDUCATION

Education began millions of years ago. As a science, it cannot be separated from the system of education that initially existed. The adults trained the young ones among them in different knowledge and skills needed for their development. This method of transmitting knowledge aided the evolution of culture and human beings. In pre-literate societies this was achieved orally and through imitation. Story-telling continued from one generation to the next. Oral language developed into written symbols and letters. The depth and breadth of knowledge that could be preserved and passed soon increased exponentially. When cultures began to extend their knowledge beyond the basic skills of communicating, trading, religious practices, etc., formal education, and schooling, eventually followed .

2.0 MEANING OF EDUCATION

Education has been given several definitions by several people. The meanings they attach to the word are complex beliefs arising from their own values and experiences. To the extent that that belief differs, the experience of students in today’s classroom can never be the same. The various definitions will be considered below.

Webstar defines education as the process of education or teaching. Education can be further defined as the process of developing the knowledge, skills or character of human beings. This definition offers less unless we further define the word “knowledge”. What is knowledge? Some say it is a body of information that exists out there while considerable research has led many to believe that knowledge arises in the mind of an individual when

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