In Richard L. Morrill’s article Developing a Personal System of Values, he discusses the meaning of values and gives advice about. In the very beginning of his article, Morrill explains that everyone’s values are different. He emphasizes on the fact that our values are what motivate us to take action; our values are responsible for our actions. However, he also acknowledges that we will not take action for every value that we may have; it also depends on our level of commitment and clarity. The values that motivate us to take action and make a difference in the world are our true values. He briefly says that people close to us influence our values, but it is really our choice to choose which values to uphold. He clarifies the meaning of values by saying; “values are those standards of choice that guide individuals and groups toward satisfaction, fulfillment, and meaning. They are present in our lives in those often hidden authorities in the name of which we make our choices and set our course in life.” Morrill explains that our values can be found through careful analysis of our choices; such as which college we choose and the reason why, can reveal a value that is important to us. He says that we can use various techniques to help us find what our values are. He illustrates this by presenting an exercise developed by Milton Rokeach in The Nature of Human Values to rank two different set of values. He states that exercises can help you start discovering your values, but finding your values should become a second habit. Morrill explains that college students, especially freshmen have challenges because they are in a place which exposes them to people with differing values. Through the college experience, college students gain a value of tolerance for others. Morrill again stresses the fact that people have different values which is challenging, but he carries on further, explaining we need to know our own values to be able to overcome these challenges. He stresses that as students enter college their perception of the “truth” changes; students usually think that the truth is like “black or white,” but professors usually view the truth as varying and question if it is right. Morrill states that we may learn and develop what we value, but we must know about developing the right values. He adds that there is no simple answer to what is right, but education can teach us how to value and to be concerned with questions relating to values. Morrill concludes with the emphasis that college is an opportunity for personal and intellectual growth where you can find your truest values.
I think Developing a Personal System of Values by Richard L. Morrill is very sincere and intriguing. I believe he said the basic truth for values and gave his honest opinion about the topic. Morrill tries to be very thorough with the meaning of values to try to educate his audience about values; emphasizing upon the point that college is where one can find their truest values. I liked how he clearly stated the definition of values after explaining what it was. Through this article, I can see that he is very passionate about teaching values to others. After reading this text, I am still uncertain what exactly my values are, but I am more aware of certain values that I may have and how I can discover them. While reading this article, I thought of the workshops, activities, discussions, and volunteer that we have had in college through the EOP program and FCP program so far; and I realize that these programs have been trying to help guide us in finding our values. Although I do not know all of my values yet, I do know I value not giving up and I want to make the best out of my college experience as possible.
In What Students Must Know to Succeed in the 21st Century by Donna Uchida, ten necessary elements to education according to the Council of 55 are discussed. The ten elements are: 1. Use of math, logic, and reasoning skills; functional and operational literacy; and an understanding of statistics, 2. Critical interpersonal skills, including speaking, listening, and the ability to be part of a team, 3. Effective information accessing and processing skills using technology, 4. Writing skills to enable students to communicate effectively, 5. Knowledge of American history and government to function in a democratic society and an understanding of issues surrounding patriotism, 6. Scientific knowledge base, including applied science, 7. An understanding of history of the world and world affairs, 8. Multicultural understanding, including insights into diversity and the need for an international perspective, 9. Knowledge of foreign language, 10. Knowledge of world geography. While presenting the ten elements necessary to education, Uchida explains why each is significant in the 21st Century. I really like the ideas put forth in this reading. I think the ten elements are what students all over the country need to be learning. There have been many debates as to why the level of academic success is falling in our country; I think changing the current curriculums to include these elements will help solve this problem. I believe the same thing about science as Marshall had said in Students Must Know to Succeed in the 21st Century by Donna Uchida, “It (science) must be experienced.” From my own experience, science can be taught in a classroom, but it is only passively absorbed by the students; they are not actively learning like they would if they were to experience it/observe it in person. I think the ten elements will enhance our education system and help students be more prepared for college as well as the real world.