As indicated in the earlier stages, the rhythm makes the process of education an endless rising spiral from romance to precision and to generalization. Generalization is the last stage of a circle of learning. It is a great achievement, but not the end of learning. During this period, students will learn not only to fully understand the basic principles, but also know how to use them in their daily life. The details of knowledge are no longer an issue here. Therefore, the true teaching is not to give a student a fish and feed him for a day, but to let him learn how to fish himself so he can feed himself for a lifetime.
What is the stage of generalization?
The final stage of generalisation is Hegel’s synthesis. It is a return to romanticism with added advantage of classified ideas and relevant I technique. It is the fruition which has been the goal of the precise training. It is the final success. I am afraid that I have had to give a dry analysis of somewhat obvious ideas. It has been necessary to do so because my subsequent remarks presuppose that we have clearly in our minds the essential character of this threefold cycle.
–Alfred North Whitehead, Aims of Education, 19.
This stage includes students who are 18 years-old and older. On this part of the journey of learning and studying, students will gain the capacity of integrating and understanding how to use the knowledge they have gained. The primary objective is thus the achievement of wisdom.
During this stage, higher education is crucial for the students’ continuing growth, and communities will become a useful place for college students to put their learnt knowledge, talents and ideas into the practice via community’s programs or projects. This means the evaluation of students’ performance will be majorly from colleges and communities. At the same time, students will build a close relationship between schools and communities, link their studies and life together in order to be fully alive as a whole person.
The following resource for families, communities, and schools may offer some inspiring guidance for students in the stage of generalization.
Family
Community
