Mori-School

"No one should have power that is unjustified and unjustifiable, regardless of how convinient or effecient it may seem for smooth runninig of the classroom, the educatioinal sysytem, or the country"(263). Here, it seems that Mori has some resentment toward the Japanese method of teaching. She notes that her American teachers told her the exact mistakes she made, that helped her become successful. On the other hand, Japanese teachers were not specific at all and expected students to gain knowledge by catching their own mistakes. However, it is not to say that either American or Japanese is better than the other, they are just different techniques which both are effective. Japanese emphasize self-discipline, detail, and obedience of authority, while Americans focus on self-motivation, overall concepts, and questioning.

In some cases it is best to learn from trial and error because a person can not always depend on ithe instructor to correct them, and it is more beneficial to learn by observation. Yet it is also advantageous to have a more experienced or educated individual to help point out our faults so we can see what to improve. For some, it helps to have a teacher tell them what mistakes they are making because they did not realize them before, to understand it from another perspective. For others it helps them to be more independent and know what they are expected to do by discovering it for themselves. I, myself, can agree with both methods I can understand things better when an instructor can further discuss it, or elaborate on it; but I can comprehend things easily and learn them easily when I can see on my own what works and what doesn't.

Another point Mori brought up in her artcile, that stood out was when she stated "most Americans take college for granted"(254). I do not believe entirely. Of course there may be some people who do take college for granted but I think that the majority of college students know the importance of it and what a privelege it is to be there. It is not just a place where we can just get up and decide to go one day. It is a process of planning, goal setting and securing money for that particular purpose. There are countless factor that can effect people from going back to college. This notion of the "real world" is composed of things such as, careers, public places, day-to-day people and circumstances, families, and economic situations, without school restraints, that is, what school or college can not always prepare you for. College is a preperatory stage, it is much part of the "real world", because you learn to interact with others differently, learn to strategize in new situations, and learn not only knowledge but things about yourself. However, the outside world is really considered the natural, expected and unexpected roads in life.