Being forced or coerced into something generates antipathy for whatever that something is. Having has to read Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn I developed quite an aversion to Twain. It wasn't until I saw a version of The Mysterious Stranger on PBS that went back and read a significant chunk of his work.
I've found that if I happen across something or have it quietly recommended, there is at least a chance of my enjoying it. "You gotta..." tends to lead to an instant dislike. I cannot recall a single thing I was coerced or forced into that I wound up liking in any form. This is why, I think, that as well-meaning as Phys. Ed. courses are, they are severely detrimental to their own alleged purpose.
Asimov suggested an interesting form of education: Only teach was the student was interested in. It sounds insane, but he had the example of a kid interested only in baseball. Fine, teach him baseball... and then arithmetic for batting averages and on to statistics and such perhaps. And reading, to read about it. And let it happen. It makes sense. I do not expect this happen, therefore.
The problem with that approach to education is that it requires one highly qualified and patient teacher for each student. No question but what it can work well, but it's so costly that only the most wealthy could afford it.
But a hybrid can work, and has been proven to. But having involved parents that actually do some things to encourage education and make available information seems to be increasingly rare, with depressingly predictable result.
I've found that if I happen across something or have it quietly recommended, there is at least a chance of my enjoying it. "You gotta..." tends to lead to an instant dislike. I cannot recall a single thing I was coerced or forced into that I wound up liking in any form. This is why, I think, that as well-meaning as Phys. Ed. courses are, they are severely detrimental to their own alleged purpose.
Asimov suggested an interesting form of education: Only teach was the student was interested in. It sounds insane, but he had the example of a kid interested only in baseball. Fine, teach him baseball... and then arithmetic for batting averages and on to statistics and such perhaps. And reading, to read about it. And let it happen. It makes sense. I do not expect this happen, therefore.
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