"I say preach, my dear Sir, a crusade against ignorance; establish & improve the law for educating the common people."-Thomas Jefferson 1786

Education has held a mixed place in the hearts of many in America.  To some, it is indeed a foundation upon which we may base our understanding of ourselves.  To others, it is merely a waste of time they could be using doing something more interesting.

Prior to the development of technology, it was required of students to do a lot of footwork to complete their assignments.  In modern times though, it is possible for an individual to "skip to the answer" by merely Google searching.  The problem with such easy access to information, is that it eliminates the individual work to some degree.  

For example, if you are tasked with completing a book review, and instead of doing that review, you choose to copy/paste an entire review done by someone else.  Sure, you change a few small things, but in reality, it was not your work.  In fact, you did almost nothing except spend a few minutes on a computer.

Here is the rub, and question for this particular topic.  You may pick either one for your chosen writing.

 1. Has our society become so dependant upon instant knowledge, that we lack the appreciation for learning on our own?

2.What is it about education methods today, and perhaps even in your own school, that makes learning a chore, instead of something worthwhile? 

On a side reflection of my own, I often consider the following...

Is the quality of what is taught and learned as important as the quantity?   Or is it more important to learn as much as possible, becoming a "Jack of all trades"?  

Personally, I have learned many things throughout my years in education.  Some of the most profound learning was done when we focused strongly on a particular subject.  In my schooling, I probably learned more about the Middle Ages than most people ever are likely to want.  Especially how the nobility was often heavily related to each other no matter the country.  

Has this information proved useful?  Not unless I am playing Trivial Pursuit.  Yet it allowed me to understand different cultures, and how the many wars that occurred throughout the era tended to come from the relationships of the lords and ladies.