Before going on to read the answers of others, ask yourself: “What is education for? What should the goals of education be?” Write down your ideas and reflect on them. Where did your answers come from? Have you ever discussed these questions with anyone? How, and from where, have you absorbed answers implicitly?
Then read the following discussion material “What is education for?” Use it to craft a personal definition of education.
Think along these lines:
“Education is … ”
“A successful education should enable me to … ”
“The goals/objectives/purposes of my education should be … ”
This definition will be a valuable tool—a guiding force as you consider what you ought to learn and why. It should outline the scope of your task as a well-rounded, lifelong learner.
Discuss this definition with your tutor, together with the material from “What is education for?” Consider the particular subjects, habits, and mindsets that will satisfy the educational objectives outlined in your definition.
What aspects of your curriculum are, or should be, universal? What do you think everyone ought to learn? Is there one “best” way to achieve the goals of education, or can different means achieve the same ends? What aspects ought to be unique to each individual?
Always be open to ways to improve or adapt this definition as your education evolves.