Press "Enter" to skip to content

Exploring Our Future: Schooled, or Educated? | Lewis Smith | TEDxYouth@BrayfordPool


are you schooled or are you educated

are you schooled or are you educated it’s time to reflect

it’s time to reflect

it’s time to reflect is it the schooling or the education

is it the schooling or the education

is it the schooling or the education that shapes who you are good afternoon

that shapes who you are good afternoon

that shapes who you are good afternoon my name is Luis Smith I graduated here

my name is Luis Smith I graduated here

my name is Luis Smith I graduated here in Lincoln just up the hill for my

in Lincoln just up the hill for my

in Lincoln just up the hill for my undergraduate degree I specialized in

undergraduate degree I specialized in

undergraduate degree I specialized in education studies and special

education studies and special

education studies and special educational needs quite a wordy degree

educational needs quite a wordy degree

educational needs quite a wordy degree title when you’re explaining it to

title when you’re explaining it to

title when you’re explaining it to friends down the pub currently I’ve been

friends down the pub currently I’ve been

friends down the pub currently I’ve been offered the fantastic opportunity to

offered the fantastic opportunity to

offered the fantastic opportunity to conduct my teacher training in school it

conduct my teacher training in school it

conduct my teacher training in school it is a challenge every day it is daunting

is a challenge every day it is daunting

is a challenge every day it is daunting almost as daunting as the talk nearly

almost as daunting as the talk nearly

almost as daunting as the talk nearly hours ago but it’s something that I’m

hours ago but it’s something that I’m

hours ago but it’s something that I’m passionate about and it’s something that

passionate about and it’s something that

passionate about and it’s something that challenges me every day but most

challenges me every day but most

challenges me every day but most importantly it makes me think Germa

importantly it makes me think Germa

importantly it makes me think Germa studies I was always fascinated by the

studies I was always fascinated by the

studies I was always fascinated by the changing way of our society the way that

changing way of our society the way that

changing way of our society the way that in a space of five years we can change

in a space of five years we can change

in a space of five years we can change from something being unacceptable to

from something being unacceptable to

from something being unacceptable to something being acceptable if we look

something being acceptable if we look

something being acceptable if we look back through our history from the

back through our history from the

back through our history from the industrial the Industrial Revolution to

industrial the Industrial Revolution to

industrial the Industrial Revolution to today we can see this changing nature of

today we can see this changing nature of

today we can see this changing nature of education the beauty of being a teacher

education the beauty of being a teacher

education the beauty of being a teacher and being an educator is it is possible

and being an educator is it is possible

and being an educator is it is possible to examine the journeys that we have

to examine the journeys that we have

to examine the journeys that we have gone through as a society the teaching

gone through as a society the teaching

gone through as a society the teaching that we have had our parents our

that we have had our parents our

that we have had our parents our grandparents and in the future our

grandparents and in the future our

grandparents and in the future our children our grandchildren it makes us

children our grandchildren it makes us

children our grandchildren it makes us think what is the shape of Education in

think what is the shape of Education in

think what is the shape of Education in the 21st century where are we going it’s

the 21st century where are we going it’s

the 21st century where are we going it’s possible to argue that in a 21st century

possible to argue that in a 21st century

possible to argue that in a 21st century we are catered more towards schooling

we are catered more towards schooling

we are catered more towards schooling than education it’s important to break

than education it’s important to break

than education it’s important to break this down into two key concepts however

this down into two key concepts however

this down into two key concepts however number one schooling this relates to the

number one schooling this relates to the

number one schooling this relates to the qualifications we receive the formal

qualifications we receive the formal

qualifications we receive the formal academic behaviors that we learn such as

academic behaviors that we learn such as

academic behaviors that we learn such as grammar formal and informal tone and how

grammar formal and informal tone and how

grammar formal and informal tone and how to structure our writing to communicate

to structure our writing to communicate

to structure our writing to communicate between each other this is specifically

between each other this is specifically

between each other this is specifically the knowledge we have gained in school

the knowledge we have gained in school

the knowledge we have gained in school it’s our maths GCSEs our science GCSEs

it’s our maths GCSEs our science GCSEs

it’s our maths GCSEs our science GCSEs the Duke of Edinburgh Award

but what for education what is education

but what for education what is education I argue that it’s the skills we have the

I argue that it’s the skills we have the

I argue that it’s the skills we have the behavior and knowledge that we adopt as

behavior and knowledge that we adopt as

behavior and knowledge that we adopt as individuals this is regardless of the

individuals this is regardless of the

individuals this is regardless of the environment it’s unique it’s a social

environment it’s unique it’s a social

environment it’s unique it’s a social skills we have the morals the life

skills we have the morals the life

skills we have the morals the life skills and hobbies that we take for

skills and hobbies that we take for

skills and hobbies that we take for granted every single day in simple terms

granted every single day in simple terms

granted every single day in simple terms schooling relates to the qualifications

schooling relates to the qualifications

schooling relates to the qualifications and knowledge we gain within school

and knowledge we gain within school

and knowledge we gain within school education includes these aspects such as

education includes these aspects such as

education includes these aspects such as reading and writing but is also

reading and writing but is also

reading and writing but is also vocational and creative it’s possible to

vocational and creative it’s possible to

vocational and creative it’s possible to argue that education is what we have

argue that education is what we have

argue that education is what we have learnt as individuals on our own

learnt as individuals on our own

learnt as individuals on our own journeys but it contains aspects which

journeys but it contains aspects which

journeys but it contains aspects which are often neglected within school in our

are often neglected within school in our

are often neglected within school in our everyday lives

everyday lives

everyday lives we apply for jobs job applications often

we apply for jobs job applications often

we apply for jobs job applications often state their requirement for

state their requirement for

state their requirement for qualification quite often this precedes

qualification quite often this precedes

qualification quite often this precedes the optional inclusion of experience for

the optional inclusion of experience for

the optional inclusion of experience for some fields this is a benefit I am a

some fields this is a benefit I am a

some fields this is a benefit I am a teacher the qualifications and skills

teacher the qualifications and skills

teacher the qualifications and skills that I have learnt within schooling are

that I have learnt within schooling are

that I have learnt within schooling are vital to my industry we have standards

vital to my industry we have standards

vital to my industry we have standards we have a shared consensus on what we

we have a shared consensus on what we

we have a shared consensus on what we need to know however is this always the

need to know however is this always the

need to know however is this always the case

case

case when I was 16 I worked in retail it was

when I was 16 I worked in retail it was

when I was 16 I worked in retail it was a fascinating job that I did every

a fascinating job that I did every

a fascinating job that I did every single weekend I got the job I was told

single weekend I got the job I was told

single weekend I got the job I was told by my manager because of the GCSEs that

by my manager because of the GCSEs that

by my manager because of the GCSEs that I had in sociology and history putting

I had in sociology and history putting

I had in sociology and history putting me above other candidates but why should

me above other candidates but why should

me above other candidates but why should that be the case if I have never worn

that be the case if I have never worn

that be the case if I have never worn the clothing brand why should I get the

the clothing brand why should I get the

the clothing brand why should I get the job above someone who wears it every

job above someone who wears it every

job above someone who wears it every single day for many this is a strange

single day for many this is a strange

single day for many this is a strange concept looking at job qualifications it

concept looking at job qualifications it

concept looking at job qualifications it is the industry standard to go for the

is the industry standard to go for the

is the industry standard to go for the qualifications over experience we do not

qualifications over experience we do not

qualifications over experience we do not look at the knowledge of the individual

look at the knowledge of the individual

look at the knowledge of the individual but how qualified they are on paper in

but how qualified they are on paper in

but how qualified they are on paper in the 21st century these applications

the 21st century these applications

the 21st century these applications focus upon the attainment and

focus upon the attainment and

focus upon the attainment and classification of qualification not the

classification of qualification not the

classification of qualification not the nature of the qualification having the

nature of the qualification having the

nature of the qualification having the qualification this means that quite

qualification this means that quite

qualification this means that quite often we have individuals who are not

often we have individuals who are not

often we have individuals who are not qualified for the roles they have the

qualified for the roles they have the

qualified for the roles they have the paper but they do not have the knowledge

paper but they do not have the knowledge

paper but they do not have the knowledge the passion and the drive but this is

the passion and the drive but this is

the passion and the drive but this is not just the working world this is our

not just the working world this is our

not just the working world this is our extracurricular activities if we look at

extracurricular activities if we look at

extracurricular activities if we look at theater groups look at the pianist quite

theater groups look at the pianist quite

theater groups look at the pianist quite often they all have grades this neglects

often they all have grades this neglects

often they all have grades this neglects the individual who knows the piece off

the individual who knows the piece off

the individual who knows the piece off by heart for someone who may not even

by heart for someone who may not even

by heart for someone who may not even know that musical each of us will face

know that musical each of us will face

know that musical each of us will face this at one stage in our life we will do

this at one stage in our life we will do

this at one stage in our life we will do something that we do not have the formal

something that we do not have the formal

something that we do not have the formal schooling and qualifications to do I do

schooling and qualifications to do I do

schooling and qualifications to do I do not have a public speaking qualification

not have a public speaking qualification

not have a public speaking qualification but Here I am today it’s the passion and

but Here I am today it’s the passion and

but Here I am today it’s the passion and drive that I have which brought me here

drive that I have which brought me here

drive that I have which brought me here not a piece of paper but does this mean

not a piece of paper but does this mean

not a piece of paper but does this mean if you do not have a formal

if you do not have a formal

if you do not have a formal qualification you do not have knowledge

the changes in our society have become

the changes in our society have become more apparent if you look at education

more apparent if you look at education

more apparent if you look at education there is a pressure on academic test

there is a pressure on academic test

there is a pressure on academic test scores every year in July and August we

scores every year in July and August we

scores every year in July and August we hear about GCSE pass rates a2 sees how

hear about GCSE pass rates a2 sees how

hear about GCSE pass rates a2 sees how many a to sees as a percentage we’re at

many a to sees as a percentage we’re at

many a to sees as a percentage we’re at this school but this wasn’t always the

this school but this wasn’t always the

this school but this wasn’t always the case at the start of the 21st century

case at the start of the 21st century

case at the start of the 21st century there was an emphasis on vocational arts

there was an emphasis on vocational arts

there was an emphasis on vocational arts and creative practice now the focus has

and creative practice now the focus has

and creative practice now the focus has changed onto academics the result is

changed onto academics the result is

changed onto academics the result is that our vocation on creative subjects

that our vocation on creative subjects

that our vocation on creative subjects have been neglected the focus upon

have been neglected the focus upon

have been neglected the focus upon academic discipline and formal

academic discipline and formal

academic discipline and formal qualification is now the priority of

qualification is now the priority of

qualification is now the priority of many schools but the focus of our

many schools but the focus of our

many schools but the focus of our schooling is shaped by the societal

schooling is shaped by the societal

schooling is shaped by the societal values around us it is what we do as a

values around us it is what we do as a

values around us it is what we do as a society which shapes our schooling the

society which shapes our schooling the

society which shapes our schooling the focus of our society in the 21st century

focus of our society in the 21st century

focus of our society in the 21st century is on academic qualifications and what

is on academic qualifications and what

is on academic qualifications and what we have on our CV we promote school

we have on our CV we promote school

we have on our CV we promote school University to our children because it

University to our children because it

University to our children because it gets in the qualifications that gets

gets in the qualifications that gets

gets in the qualifications that gets them ahead that is the nature of the

them ahead that is the nature of the

them ahead that is the nature of the society we live in in my own

society we live in in my own

society we live in in my own professional environment however there

professional environment however there

professional environment however there is a disparity between this I work in a

is a disparity between this I work in a

is a disparity between this I work in a special-needs school we have children

special-needs school we have children

special-needs school we have children with a range of learning difficulties

with a range of learning difficulties

with a range of learning difficulties but primarily they are severe learning

but primarily they are severe learning

but primarily they are severe learning difficulties students we do not do GCSEs

difficulties students we do not do GCSEs

difficulties students we do not do GCSEs we’d not do not do a levels instead our

we’d not do not do a levels instead our

we’d not do not do a levels instead our children do entry level qualifications

children do entry level qualifications

children do entry level qualifications and functional skills cost whilst these

and functional skills cost whilst these

and functional skills cost whilst these are formal qualifications they are not

are formal qualifications they are not

are formal qualifications they are not regarded as a high level by employers

regarded as a high level by employers

regarded as a high level by employers and so many students are neglected but

and so many students are neglected but

and so many students are neglected but this is not just happening in special

this is not just happening in special

this is not just happening in special schools but for the students who go for

schools but for the students who go for

schools but for the students who go for vocational courses and envy queues while

vocational courses and envy queues while

vocational courses and envy queues while these courses hold their own merits and

these courses hold their own merits and

these courses hold their own merits and our formal qualifications are being

our formal qualifications are being

our formal qualifications are being neglected in favour of traditional

neglected in favour of traditional

neglected in favour of traditional schooling this does not need to be the

schooling this does not need to be the

schooling this does not need to be the case and it has not always been the case

case and it has not always been the case

case and it has not always been the case so Richard Branson is an individual we

so Richard Branson is an individual we

so Richard Branson is an individual we will all know in this room he is one of

will all know in this room he is one of

will all know in this room he is one of the most successful businessman of the

the most successful businessman of the

the most successful businessman of the 21st century however his schooling

21st century however his schooling

21st century however his schooling he was seen as underachieving failing it

he was seen as underachieving failing it

he was seen as underachieving failing it was down to his education the skills

was down to his education the skills

was down to his education the skills passion and drive that he obtained

passion and drive that he obtained

passion and drive that he obtained outside of schooling that made him the

outside of schooling that made him the

outside of schooling that made him the person he is today made him the person

person he is today made him the person

person he is today made him the person that runs the Virgin Group which runs

that runs the Virgin Group which runs

that runs the Virgin Group which runs over 400 businesses worldwide and has a

over 400 businesses worldwide and has a

over 400 businesses worldwide and has a net worth of over 1.5 billion dollars

net worth of over 1.5 billion dollars

net worth of over 1.5 billion dollars but there are similar stories

but there are similar stories

but there are similar stories Bill Gates Mark Zuckerberg Steve Jobs

Bill Gates Mark Zuckerberg Steve Jobs

Bill Gates Mark Zuckerberg Steve Jobs even Florence Nightingale had no formal

even Florence Nightingale had no formal

even Florence Nightingale had no formal schooling but was one of the pioneers of

schooling but was one of the pioneers of

schooling but was one of the pioneers of her time these individuals did not

her time these individuals did not

her time these individuals did not receive the highest level of formal

receive the highest level of formal

receive the highest level of formal schooling but they inspire us daily they

schooling but they inspire us daily they

schooling but they inspire us daily they impact our lives and change the way we

impact our lives and change the way we

impact our lives and change the way we think of the world based on this I ask

think of the world based on this I ask

think of the world based on this I ask one question does schooling and

one question does schooling and

one question does schooling and qualifications make us who we are or is

qualifications make us who we are or is

qualifications make us who we are or is it the education the development of

it the education the development of

it the education the development of knowledge which shapes who we are as

knowledge which shapes who we are as

knowledge which shapes who we are as individuals is it having a GCSE in PE

individuals is it having a GCSE in PE

individuals is it having a GCSE in PE that makes me a good football coach or

that makes me a good football coach or

that makes me a good football coach or is it the passion and drive I’ve had

is it the passion and drive I’ve had

is it the passion and drive I’ve had since I could walk that makes me a good

since I could walk that makes me a good

since I could walk that makes me a good coach I oppose the argument to your that

coach I oppose the argument to your that

coach I oppose the argument to your that schooling does not inform who we are

schooling does not inform who we are

schooling does not inform who we are it’s the education we have that informs

it’s the education we have that informs

it’s the education we have that informs the choices that we make in our lives

the choices that we make in our lives

the choices that we make in our lives it’s not the qualities it’s not the

it’s not the qualities it’s not the

it’s not the qualities it’s not the qualifications but the knowledge and

qualifications but the knowledge and

qualifications but the knowledge and experience from all aspects of our life

experience from all aspects of our life

experience from all aspects of our life which influences how we are it’s the

which influences how we are it’s the

which influences how we are it’s the teamwork and leadership we gained

teamwork and leadership we gained

teamwork and leadership we gained through being part of sports clubs when

through being part of sports clubs when

through being part of sports clubs when we were younger

we were younger

we were younger the discipline and dedication from

the discipline and dedication from

the discipline and dedication from theater groups in learning our lines in

theater groups in learning our lines in

theater groups in learning our lines in going the extra mile and it’s the care

going the extra mile and it’s the care

going the extra mile and it’s the care and empathy that we gained from looking

and empathy that we gained from looking

and empathy that we gained from looking after members of our own family which

after members of our own family which

after members of our own family which shapes our morals and our life skills

shapes our morals and our life skills

shapes our morals and our life skills but it’s not just this for those who

but it’s not just this for those who

but it’s not just this for those who went traveling what did you learn when

went traveling what did you learn when

went traveling what did you learn when you moved into the house that you now

you moved into the house that you now

you moved into the house that you now live in for the first time and that

live in for the first time and that

live in for the first time and that boiler wasn’t working quite right what

boiler wasn’t working quite right what

boiler wasn’t working quite right what did you learn these aspects shapers who

did you learn these aspects shapers who

did you learn these aspects shapers who shape who we are imagine after the event

shape who we are imagine after the event

shape who we are imagine after the event today we’re set having a coffee and I

today we’re set having a coffee and I

today we’re set having a coffee and I was to turn around go if I were to ask

was to turn around go if I were to ask

was to turn around go if I were to ask you to name your best qualities as a

you to name your best qualities as a

you to name your best qualities as a person which of these are done schooling

person which of these are done schooling

person which of these are done schooling on the other hand how many of these

on the other hand how many of these

on the other hand how many of these skills that you take for granted daily

skills that you take for granted daily

skills that you take for granted daily are down to the education you have for

are down to the education you have for

are down to the education you have for some schooling is a large proportion of

some schooling is a large proportion of

some schooling is a large proportion of their life as a teacher schooling has

their life as a teacher schooling has

their life as a teacher schooling has shaped my career and giving me the

shaped my career and giving me the

shaped my career and giving me the skills I require on a daily basis but

skills I require on a daily basis but

skills I require on a daily basis but that’s not just who I am

that’s not just who I am

that’s not just who I am that’s not just my life Society moving

that’s not just my life Society moving

that’s not just my life Society moving forward needs to reflect that this is

forward needs to reflect that this is

forward needs to reflect that this is not the case for everyone not everyone

not the case for everyone not everyone

not the case for everyone not everyone will be catered towards this formal

will be catered towards this formal

will be catered towards this formal qualifications some will be vocational

qualifications some will be vocational

qualifications some will be vocational creative have amazing stories which will

creative have amazing stories which will

creative have amazing stories which will inspire us to make change the national

inspire us to make change the national

inspire us to make change the national curriculum key legislative guidance that

curriculum key legislative guidance that

curriculum key legislative guidance that works to the benefit of all schools

works to the benefit of all schools

works to the benefit of all schools across the country states explicitly

across the country states explicitly

across the country states explicitly that the curriculum and schooling is

that the curriculum and schooling is

that the curriculum and schooling is just one element of the education of

just one element of the education of

just one element of the education of every child society will always need

every child society will always need

every child society will always need schooling and a positive impact that it

schooling and a positive impact that it

schooling and a positive impact that it has it works in collaboration as with so

has it works in collaboration as with so

has it works in collaboration as with so many aspects in our lives we need to

many aspects in our lives we need to

many aspects in our lives we need to open our eyes to a new perspective a

open our eyes to a new perspective a

open our eyes to a new perspective a perspective that many are educated

perspective that many are educated

perspective that many are educated outside of

outside of

outside of school and neglected for roles they

school and neglected for roles they

school and neglected for roles they would excel in this is those who do not

would excel in this is those who do not

would excel in this is those who do not have the formal qualifications but are

have the formal qualifications but are

have the formal qualifications but are passionate for a role think back to the

passionate for a role think back to the

passionate for a role think back to the theater group the pianists would you

theater group the pianists would you

theater group the pianists would you choose a pianist who is dedicated to the

choose a pianist who is dedicated to the

choose a pianist who is dedicated to the musical you are putting on and those

musical you are putting on and those

musical you are putting on and those every single song perfectly but because

every single song perfectly but because

every single song perfectly but because they don’t have a grade you start

they don’t have a grade you start

they don’t have a grade you start looking at the one with grade five piano

looking at the one with grade five piano

looking at the one with grade five piano who has never watched the musical what

who has never watched the musical what

who has never watched the musical what about the special-needs pupil who has no

about the special-needs pupil who has no

about the special-needs pupil who has no formal qualifications desired for the

formal qualifications desired for the

formal qualifications desired for the job that you have but they had the

job that you have but they had the

job that you have but they had the passion desire and practical skills to

passion desire and practical skills to

passion desire and practical skills to be a chef so how do we change this think

be a chef so how do we change this think

be a chef so how do we change this think back to the individuals who have

back to the individuals who have

back to the individuals who have achieved outside of schooling imagine no

achieved outside of schooling imagine no

achieved outside of schooling imagine no status quo imagine that as a business

status quo imagine that as a business

status quo imagine that as a business you accept those with formal

you accept those with formal

you accept those with formal qualifications and look at the

qualifications and look at the

qualifications and look at the individuals who have the experience the

individuals who have the experience the

individuals who have the experience the passion and the drive have a team where

passion and the drive have a team where

passion and the drive have a team where you have the formal knowledge alongside

you have the formal knowledge alongside

you have the formal knowledge alongside the passion and drive to take it to the

the passion and drive to take it to the

the passion and drive to take it to the next level combined your team and work

next level combined your team and work

next level combined your team and work collaboratively to build a better future

collaboratively to build a better future

collaboratively to build a better future thank you for having me today I hope

thank you for having me today I hope

thank you for having me today I hope that I’ve given you a new perspective on

that I’ve given you a new perspective on

that I’ve given you a new perspective on schooling to look at which you can

schooling to look at which you can

schooling to look at which you can discuss with your friends family and

discuss with your friends family and

discuss with your friends family and coworkers

coworkers

coworkers [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

”

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *