That's an old question, but one we should reconsider in every generation. We can quote great authors on the subject and their words sound magnanimous, but we soon forget them. Reading Kay Mcspadden on Saturday, January 10, 2009, we discover what skills are being recommended to students, although schools are a long way from adopting them. These are the following:
1. creativity and innovation
2. critical thinking
3. problem solving
4. communication
5. collaboration
These are mental/social skills are should be presumed by such skills as computer literacy, videoconferencing, and the like. Each generation gets hooked on its latest gadgets and forgets the skills that brought them there. The five skills above are basic and universal and are the foundation of all the rest, including character development and technology skills. Core competencies in the curriculum of the school are important, but they too need a foundation.
So we come back to our question of WISDOM. Using the skills mentioned above, we can say that "wisdom" is a combination of "sound judgment, reflection, and compassion." It's the ability to give answers to problems or to respond to sensitive situations without being absolute and all knowing, but communicating reflective judgment and, when not knowing the situation completely, being somewhat tentative in our answers.
What do you think about "wisdom." Email me at probin@charter.net and let me know.
