An Enlightened Approach to Education

The Latin word “educare” means “to draw out”. The original idea of the English word “education” therefore is “drawing out the innate talents in individuals” – or so it seems to us. This implies a whole new approach to public schools. Individuals would first be studied to find out what they are good at and what they would like to do with their lives. Then an individualized syllabus would be developed just for each individual. Personalized education.

The Internet now exists as a backbone to providing the realization of this dream. Search engines can help find the elements of information to fill an individualized educational syllabus. New Media are increasingly developing personalization technology for advertising – why not for education?

When this idea was first presented by The Human Effectiveness Institute to the President and his Domestic Council in 1976, along with other radical ideas such as including meditation as a course in public schools, enthusiastic letters came back to the Institute from then-President Gerald Ford, Ted Kennedy, Walter Mondale, Tip O’Neill, George Wallace, Donald Rumsfeld, Melvin Laird, Hubert Humphrey and others.

In the 30 years since then the Institute has continued to develop and distribute its video and text mindware – stimuli designed to bring out the best in individuals. However the progress in public education has been modest. Hopefully we are entering a watershed period in which far more rapid advancements can be made on all fronts.

Medical science has now proven the link between keeping your mind active and staving off Alzheimer’s disease. Read more about preventing Alzheimer's.

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