Why is it that the "money survival course" that schools do not teach helps children avoid life's traps the earlier they learn financial management?

The current education environment is influenced by rapid technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), which has necessitated adjustments. However, many public schools still focus on the lowest levels of learning, often neglecting higher-order thinking skills that are crucial for success in the modern world. Understanding the six levels of learning can help parents and educators recognize this gap and work towards promoting a more comprehensive educational experience.

Six Levels of Learning

1. Memory: This is the most basic level, where students recall facts and information. It involves rote memorization and recognition.

2. Understanding: At this level, students grasp the meaning of the information and can explain ideas or concepts.

3. Application: Students apply their knowledge in new situations, demonstrating their ability to implement learned concepts in practical contexts.

4. Analysis: This level involves breaking down information into parts and understanding its structure. Students can identify motives or reasons and make inferences.

5. Evaluation: At this stage, learners make judgments based on standards and criteria, assessing through examination and criticism.

6. Creation: The highest level of learning, where students synthesize elements to form a coherent or functional whole; they can generate new ideas or products.

Focus on Lower-Level Skills

Due to the pressure of standardized testing and curriculum constraints, public schools often prioritize the first two levels—memory and understanding. This focus limits students' opportunities to engage in critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, which are crucial for navigating an increasingly AI-dominated world, where these technologies excel in low-level skills such as memory and basic understanding 2 3.

Impacts of Lower-Level Focus

• Career Readiness: As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, many traditional jobs will be automated, making it essential for students to cultivate higher-level skills that cannot be easily replicated by machines. A report states that 65% of today's children entering elementary school will work in jobs that do not yet exist, highlighting the need to promote adaptive and innovative education 3.

• Critical Thinking: Due to an overemphasis on rote memorization, students may struggle with critical thinking and analytical skills, which are necessary for critically assessing information—skills that are increasingly important in an era of misinformation 2.

• Creativity and Innovation: In a rapidly changing workplace, the ability to create new ideas or products is essential. Schools that focus on lower-level skills may stifle students' creativity, while these students could provide innovative solutions to emerging challenges if given the opportunity.

Parents' Role

Given this educational environment, parents play a vital role in encouraging higher-order learning at home. Here are some strategies:

• Promote Critical Thinking: Engage children in discussions that require them to analyze different perspectives or assess arguments. Encourage them to ask deeper questions rather than just surface-level understanding.

• Encourage Creativity: Provide opportunities for creative expression through art, science projects, or problem-solving activities that require innovative thinking.

• Use Technology Wisely: While artificial intelligence can assist with low-level tasks, parents should guide children on how to use technology as a tool for exploration and creation, rather than just a means for quick answers.

• Support Lifelong Learning: Inspire a love for learning by exposing children to diverse topics and experiences beyond traditional classroom settings. Encourage curiosity about the world around them.

In conclusion, although public schools may emphasize low-level learning due to systemic pressures, it is crucial for parents to actively promote higher-order thinking skills at home. In this way, parents can help equip their children with the necessary tools to thrive in an increasingly complex world, as artificial intelligence excels at basic tasks but cannot replace human creativity and critical thinking.