Why "Irresistible"?

In his Kindle book, Why School, author Will Richardson uses the following quote:

“A popular quote paraphrased from psychologist Herbert Gerjuoy predicts that 'the illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write. The illiterate will be those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.' ”

Richardson, Will (2012-09-10). Why School?: How Education Must Change When Learning and Information Are Everywhere (Kindle Single) (Kindle Locations 366-367). TED Conferences. Kindle Edition. 

For too long we as a society have accepted certain assumptions concerning our schools. These assumptions about how schools "must be" have kept us from innovating and moving forward and keeping relevance as a foundational principle. Most other organizations and institutions feel keenly the need to change and to grow in order to meet the demands of their clients. If these organizations aren't moving forward and paying attention to what their customers want (or better yet, to what their customers will want even though they don't know it yet) then they know they are falling behind, risking becoming irrelevant, and thus, going out of business. Any viable organization does this—except for in education.

One of the many mistaken assumptions made in educational circles today is, "Schools are a given. We're necessary. So, we're 'safe' from elimination." While this has been true in the past, and may be true for a while longer, if schools don't find a way to meet the needs of their customers (students and the larger society) then this comfortable, guaranteed existence may be a thing of the past.

Richardson continues with this statement:

“I believe there remains a great deal of value in the idea of school as a place our kids go to learn with others, to be inspired by caring adults to pursue mastery and expertise, and then to use that to change the world for the better.”

Richardson, Will (2012-09-10). Why School?: How Education Must Change When Learning and Information Are Everywhere (Kindle Single) (Kindle Locations 210-211). TED Conferences. Kindle Edition. 

I agree and applaud all schools (and there are some of them out there today) who fit the description above. Schools are changing. People are no longer happy with an outdated, ineffectual status quo. Innovators are making great advances by returning to some basic principles and understandings about how humans naturally learn. Schools can change. Education can be transformed. It can become "irresistible." We can create schools where learners and educators look forward to attending everyday—and not just for the social interaction. We can create environments where skills are learned and practiced, skills that will transform not only the individual lives of our students, but society as a whole.

Students look forward to attending school—in Kindergarten. Their experiences at that level are relevant and rewarding. As students move through the higher grades most lose their love of school because they're too often shown that "serious academics" and enjoyment are incompatible. School becomes an exercise in compliance and a means to an end. As a society we bemoan the fact that fewer and fewer students are pursuing careers in math and science. But, instead of showing them the exciting innovations in these fields and allowing them to explore the possibilities in tangible ways, students are asked to listen to lectures and memorize "important" facts that have little relevance to their "real" lives outside of school. Why do we think this approach will get students enthused about becoming scientists?

Nelson Mandela once stated, "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." He is right. This is a true statement of "education" but is not necessarily true of "school." School and education are not synonyms and too often are actually antonyms.

The witty Mark Twain quipped, "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." It's unfortunate that this is not only true, but a sentiment held by many people who merely endured school as a means to an end. Why we have accepted this as a "norm" in our society is beyond my understanding. Let's change this reality and make our schools—our educational opportunities in whatever format—irresistible.

Irresistible means literally, "not able to be resisted or refused; overpowering, very fascinating or alluring". Most humans love to learn. We have naturally curious natures and a desire to improve and better ourselves. People of all ages will spend hours working on things that interest them (whether these things are viewed as "valuable" by society or not). Schools can become the places Richardson imagines where, "kids go to learn with others, to be inspired by caring adults to pursue mastery and expertise". If we can't become these places, then we will become obsolete. Let's make it happen. There's no better time than now and no better group of people than those who are currently willing to try.