The Last Lifeboat
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” Alvin Toffler the last lifeboat Are people, all human beings, smart? Then why is our education system so caught up in coaches, teachers, cheerleaders and managers on the sidelines grading and judging, only to lead our nation to robotic systems keepers instead of lovers of learning? The Last Life- boat asks these hard questions about our current education system and offers hope for the future—teaching people to learn, unlearn, and relearn. From courageous truth combined with witty anecdotes and humor at our own stupidity, Skip Work incites readers of all classes and status to reinvent the future of education in America now—before the future is upon us! Read it or not, the future is now. the last lifeboat The Last Lifeboat was written for the estimated 225 million Americans who do not have a college degree. A College Decree for $29.99 is the alternate title. Ironically, those who have a college degree might want to read it too, especially if one day their diploma turns into a learner’s permit that labels them as an “I have to be taught” passenger who may or may not possess the skills required to drive their own learning. When there are a limited number of lifeboats on any Titanic system… Author Skip Work is the son of Robert Grant Work, Capt/CWO4 Marine Gunner, USMC. His father was a decorated combat veteran in World War II, the Korean and Viet- nam Wars who passed away in 1984. The Gunner served his country and corps with honor for over 30 years. He taught his sons and daughter, your fathers and grandfathers about equality, learning and leadership. He did not teach through words, but by his actions. “I am entirely certain that twenty years from now we will look back at education as it is practiced in most schools today and wonder that we could have tolerated anything so primitive.” learn, unlearn, and relearn. John W. Gardner Work Skip Education, Policy & Reform 978-1-60604-237-3 $ 2 9 . 9 9 The Gunner 1921-1984 PRINTED IN THE USA Tate Publishing l i s t e n | i m a g i n e | v i e w | e x p e r i e n c e Includes Digital Entertainment Pkg • Details Inside & Enterprises AUDIO DOWNLOAD INCLUDED By Skip Work Praise for The Last Lifeboat If you feel boxed in and don’t have a college degree you have to read this book. I got my Masters for $29.99. How do you like them apples? Doug Griggs The Last Life Boat challenges the education system to a fight and delivers a knock-out punch. It is the best leadership book I have ever read…Say goodbye to management! Col. Haywood R. Smith (USMC Ret), Former Armed Forces Aide-President Lyndon B. Johnson Controversial, thought provoking, yet hopeful for the future. The Last Life Boat will make you rethink the past, present and future of learning and leadership. Deborah Westphal, Managing Partner, Toffler Associates This book is required reading for any person concerned with the current state of education and learning. I found it witty, at times controversial, but most of all it makes you think. I have known the author since 1989 and know of his rationale for his dedication, time, and resources to put this book together and he isn’t doing this for profit or for notoriety. He has written this piece of work, and put forth his ideas and solutions, for the most unselfish of reasons: it is because he CARES!!! Lewis G. (Gary) Lee 13th Sergeant Major of the USMC (Ret) the last lifeboat the last lifeboat learn, unlearn, and relearn. By Skip Work Tate Publishing & Enterprises The Last Lifeboat Copyright © 2008 by James Michael “Skip” Work. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge, 1769. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of Tate Publishing, LLC. This book is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. This information is given with the understanding that neither the author nor Tate Publishing, LLC is engaged in rendering legal, professional advice. Since the details of your situation are fact dependent, you should additionally seek the services of a competent professional. Published by Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC 127 E. Trade Center Terrace | Mustang, Oklahoma 73064 USA 1.888.361.9473 | www.tatepublishing.com Tate Publishing is committed to excellence in the publishing industry. The company reflects the philosophy established by the founders, based on Psalm 68:11, “The Lord gave the word and great was the company of those who published it.” Book design copyright © 2008 by Tate Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Cover design by Jonathan Lindsey Interior design by Stephanie Woloszyn Published in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-60604-237-3 1. Education: Aims & Objectives 2. Education: Policy & Reform 08.11.03 Dedication This book is dedicated to the action agents scattered all around the world. They are the closest most of us will ever get to witnessing true leadership. Performance Hat Trick (The Action Agents) Mikey Pioneer Medic I’ll do it! I’ll figure it out! I’ll know it! (Better) (Anything) (More) “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself at a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and…if he fails, at least fails daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt, “Man in the Arena” Speech given April 23, 1910 Performance is the driving force of this great nation. Performance is the precursor to leadership. So what’s the point? Time to Cowboy up Table of Contents Foreword by Robert O. Work 11 Introduction 15 What Questions Does this Book Seek to Answer? 28 Book 1: Duh Grading Nation - The Problem 33 Duh Grading Nation Synopsis 35 Education System Apex 45 Confessions of a Teacher 59 Two Schools of Thought 79 Inside the Systems Box 89 The System Conditioning 105 Systems Discipline 123 Systems Origin 131 Education to Business System Transference 137 The Duh Grading Backlash 147 Duh Grading Nation Conclusion 155 Stupid Dedication 161 Where Do We Go From Here? 169 Book 2: Pioneer Learning - The Alternative Solution 173 Pioneer Learning Synopsis 175 The Future of Learning 185 Updated Learning Future 197 Third Wave Learning 207 Learning and Creativity 225 The Inverse Relationship between Creativity and Discipline 233 The Pioneer Learning Hat Trick 245 Pioneer Training Hat 257 Pioneer Education Hat 281 Pioneering Hat 297 Pioneer Learning Conclusion 315 Book 3: Learning & Leadership Link - The Future Benefits 321 Learning & Leadership Link Synopsis 323 The Final Analysis 329 Performance Hat Trick 347 The Leadership Hat Trick 361 Dragger Hat 399 Doctor Hat 409 Inside/Out 433 Conclusion 437 Last Lifeboat - Discoveries 451 What can we do? 455 Acknowledgments 465 Institute of Learn, Unlearn, Relearn (I-LURN) Master’s Decree 483 Foreword by Robert O. Work “He has always likened learning to riding a roller-coaster with many twists and turns—exciting and scary at the same time. Those who conquer their fear and “just do it”—just get on the ride—will be rewarded with the thrill of a lifetime.” • • • • I am the last person who should be writing this foreword. I graduated from high school as the valedictorian with a 4.0 grade point average. I greatly enjoyed my college experience at the University of Illinois, as I impatiently waited to be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. In the process, I fell in love with learning new things. Shortly after becoming a Marine, I earned a Masters of Science in Systems Management, to the great dismay of my brother, Skip, who, as you will soon see, thinks managers rank just above pond scum. To redeem myself in his technician’s eyes, I later earned a Master’s of Science in Systems Technology (Space Systems Operations) from the Naval Postgraduate School. Finally, I earned a Master’s in International Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. If I thought I could fit it in between my job and family, I would 11 the last lifeboat probably try for a Ph.D. in strategic studies, even at this late date in my life. In other words, I have no real complaint with the U.S. education system. I have found it to hold incredible opportunities for those willing to take them. However, Skip is on a mission to change the way we all think about training, education, learning, and leadership. I don’t take his mission lightly. Long ago, I learned to listen to what Skip said he was going to do, say, “Whatever turns you on,” and then wait to see what happened.