Talking about criticle thinking is the best way to educate our youth. Most educated people from Ghana(those school in Ghana) that I meet, lack criticle thinking ideas and this is the reason why our country is falling apart. T ... read full comment
Talking about criticle thinking is the best way to educate our youth. Most educated people from Ghana(those school in Ghana) that I meet, lack criticle thinking ideas and this is the reason why our country is falling apart. The days of chew and pour is over.
Gye Nyame 11 years ago
Most of our teachers do not encourage student participation in class – it is more teachers centered, they simply lecture students, and students spent most of the class time taking notes. In most of the industrial countries, ... read full comment
Most of our teachers do not encourage student participation in class – it is more teachers centered, they simply lecture students, and students spent most of the class time taking notes. In most of the industrial countries, it is more students centered; student participation is encouraged with gives rise to more discussions, analysis, research, innovations and critical thinking.
China with all its advancement has realized that they need to change their method of teaching which tends to be more of teacher centered and therefore led to fewer innovations than the West. They are rigorously hiring teachers from the West especially from the United States to make that paradigm shift; Chinese students are good at memorizing and excel in academics but the lack of innovation has led to fewer patents and a lot of imitations compared to the West.
Until we change our method of teaching we are just going to continue to produce many graduates who lack critical thinking therefore can’t think outside of the box which will continue to stunt our development. Unfortunately the increase of the student population in Ghana, with a larger teacher-student ratio makes the students centered approach even more daunting.
Adam d'Eden 11 years ago
we are still applying 16 century nethods in teaching. ? ?
we are still applying 16 century nethods in teaching. ? ?
Adam d'Eden 11 years ago
We are still applying 16 century methods in teaching our youth
We are still applying 16 century methods in teaching our youth
Joy 11 years ago
Prof Lungu, when did you leave Australia.. or is it Japan and be in Wash DC? I am in the DC Metro area, maybe we can meet and talk turkey? Let me know.
Prof Lungu, when did you leave Australia.. or is it Japan and be in Wash DC? I am in the DC Metro area, maybe we can meet and talk turkey? Let me know.
Kwabena Gyam 11 years ago
Is the name University of Ghana or University of Legon?
Is the name University of Ghana or University of Legon?
Joni 11 years ago
Nice to see you here again, Prof Lungu. Interesting topic you chose for a "return". Talking about criticism and critique, I remember it was something that peeved you on these pages so much so that you decided to quit. But tha ... read full comment
Nice to see you here again, Prof Lungu. Interesting topic you chose for a "return". Talking about criticism and critique, I remember it was something that peeved you on these pages so much so that you decided to quit. But that was not before you had written a long article critical of something, or rather, somebody. Maybe you've been coming on and off but the place is pretty much the same if not a bit worse. I don't think you've come to stay either...
Those of us familiar with your "thoughts" are not surprised at your present thinking out loud. Oh sure, we do agree with your distinction between criticism and critique but know that ghanaweb is not the place to practice the finer points of both. For that, look elsewhere. But where?
Interesting also that you will take up the issue of the old vrs the young which, if I understand you right, is really not the issue. You and I may be on the older side of the divide and may be responsible for the type of knowledge we impart to our youth. But we are here, and not there... You raised the relevant questions at the end but since you were only just thinking out loud, you do not come up with the concrete answers - the ways and means to achieve the need. But I guess asking the right questions is itself something.
Noted that you're now based in Washington DC having left the Japanese "highlands"(?) and also that your old site is still running...
King Asante-Yeboa 11 years ago
Thought-provoking article, though I disagree with a point or two. The issues you raised are not limited to Ghana, they are continent-wide epidemic. The earlier Africans tackle them the better for their progress. The African ... read full comment
Thought-provoking article, though I disagree with a point or two. The issues you raised are not limited to Ghana, they are continent-wide epidemic. The earlier Africans tackle them the better for their progress. The African Center informs Africans and people of African descent about this.
Africans' paranoid misconceptions, thought-processes and mis-actions are gradually pushing, or pulling them to the mercy of others. We need change agents who are strong enough to challenge, and withstand, this uneasy storm until Ghana, or Africa generally, gradually returns to the path of true progress. Africa needs a defined, all-encompassing, progress-driven direction that would guide the people. It would also prevent them from falling prey.
You may visit the AFRICAN CENTER site: www.african-center.com
Kojo Billy Duncan 11 years ago
Serious and worth appreciating piece.
Serious and worth appreciating piece.
GOLD COAST 11 years ago
Unless we strip our minds of the Elizabethan cultural ethos(imported from England) that says children must be obedient and respectful to their parents and authority(thanks also to the Bible and Confucius)- without challenging ... read full comment
Unless we strip our minds of the Elizabethan cultural ethos(imported from England) that says children must be obedient and respectful to their parents and authority(thanks also to the Bible and Confucius)- without challenging them with new ideas, insights and changes - then societies such as ours will remain stagnant or retrogressive.Just look at Africans and Arabs.
PEACE
James 11 years ago
Bring back Debating Societies in 2nd cycle institutions and encourage inter-schools competitions. This will help develop critical thinking and the tolerance of criticisms in the the younger generation
Bring back Debating Societies in 2nd cycle institutions and encourage inter-schools competitions. This will help develop critical thinking and the tolerance of criticisms in the the younger generation
Talking about criticle thinking is the best way to educate our youth. Most educated people from Ghana(those school in Ghana) that I meet, lack criticle thinking ideas and this is the reason why our country is falling apart. T ...
read full comment
Most of our teachers do not encourage student participation in class – it is more teachers centered, they simply lecture students, and students spent most of the class time taking notes. In most of the industrial countries, ...
read full comment
we are still applying 16 century nethods in teaching. ? ?
We are still applying 16 century methods in teaching our youth
Prof Lungu, when did you leave Australia.. or is it Japan and be in Wash DC? I am in the DC Metro area, maybe we can meet and talk turkey? Let me know.
Is the name University of Ghana or University of Legon?
Nice to see you here again, Prof Lungu. Interesting topic you chose for a "return". Talking about criticism and critique, I remember it was something that peeved you on these pages so much so that you decided to quit. But tha ...
read full comment
Thought-provoking article, though I disagree with a point or two. The issues you raised are not limited to Ghana, they are continent-wide epidemic. The earlier Africans tackle them the better for their progress. The African ...
read full comment
Serious and worth appreciating piece.
Unless we strip our minds of the Elizabethan cultural ethos(imported from England) that says children must be obedient and respectful to their parents and authority(thanks also to the Bible and Confucius)- without challenging ...
read full comment
Bring back Debating Societies in 2nd cycle institutions and encourage inter-schools competitions. This will help develop critical thinking and the tolerance of criticisms in the the younger generation