I had this feeling that, somehow, we ought to be teaching not just the history of particular nations or particular regions, but the history of humanity.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of teaching the broader history of humanity rather than focusing solely on specific nations or regions.
David Christian highlights the need for an educational approach that encompasses the entire history of humanity. This perspective encourages us to view our past as interconnected, fostering a greater understanding of our shared experiences and collective journey rather than fragmenting our knowledge into isolated national or regional accounts.
In practice
In a classroom discussion about world history, this quote can inspire students to think beyond national borders.
I believe human beings mark a threshold in the development of the planet, of course, but it is only part of the picture. What Big History can do is show us the nature of our complexity and fragility and the dangers that face us, but it can also show us our power, with collective learning.
If, in schools, we keep teaching that history is divided into American history and Chinese history and Russian history and Australian history, we're teaching kids that they are divided into tribes. And we're failing to teach them that we also, as human beings, share problems that we need to work together with.
Reading papers and memorizing them doesn't make you a good researcher.
Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants.
I am fascinated by language in daily life: the way it can evoke an emotion, a visual image, a complex idea, or a simple truth.
How is it that little children are so intelligent and men so stupid? It must be education that does it.
Having transgender characters leads to more visibility, which creates education. Education can hopefully lead to everyone treating our community with acceptance and love.
When learning is purposeful, creativity blossoms. When creativity blossoms, thinking emanates. When thinking emanates, knowledge is fully lit. When knowledge is lit, economy flourishes.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.