The Nature of Education Shown in Two Photographs:

The Nature of Education Shown in Two Photographs:

Learning is a lifelong process. By learning, one acquires knowledge or develops the ability to perform new behaviors. It is common to think of learning as something that takes place in school, but much of human learning occurs outside the classroom, and people continue to learn throughout their lives. From the two photos, "The Lesson: Planning a Career" and "Instruction at Home", it is evident that learning continues throughout people's lives and affects almost everything they do. Moreover, the study of learning is important in many different fields. For example, teachers need to understand the best ways to educate their students. Psychologists, social workers, criminologists, and other human service workers need to understand how certain experiences change people's behaviors. Employers, politicians, and advertisers make use of the principles of learning to influence the behavior of workers, voters, and consumers .

The photograph entitled, “The Lesson: Planning a Career,” taken by Ron James, shows three students who appear to be in a classroom receiving education to more or less succeed in the business world. It is also apparent that there is a hunger for knowledge, even at a grown age. But the shocking aspect of the photograph is that the students look older than the average college student. They look middle-aged, especially the third man sitting behind the two students up front. When taking the age factor into consideration, what comes to mind is the national system of formal education in the United States developed in the 19th century. The educational system formed paralleled the photo's presentation of “old” students. First, the photo indicated that Americans were more inclined to regard education as a solution to various social problems. Second, because of the students’ confidence in the power of education, more years of schooling were provided for a larger percentage of the population than other countries. Third, educational institutions were primarily governed by local authorities rather than by federal ones.

Beside the age factor, the photo explicitly states three words, “Wages, Careers, and Colleges.” These three words seem to forcefully acknowledge the power of education; the power that further education can bring about higher wages and better career offerings, especially in a fast paced competitive world. In addition, the students in the photo appear to be bored or uninterested in the classroom. Their lack of interest in learning informs of their lack of choice, but to learn in order to succeed.