David Epstein's Range is a good way to look at outcome based learning.
There are 'Kind Learning Environments'. Things like chess, golf, concert piano, etc. The goal is easy to define, you can rank yourself against others, and the feedback on effort is quick. In such scenarios, so argues Epstein, the 10,000 hour grind is a best way to achieve success.
There are 'Unkind Leaning Environments'. Things like tennis, jazz, business, etc. The goal is difficult to define, you cannot easily rank yourself against others, and the feedback on effort is slow or nonexistent. In these environments, Epstein says that a 'browsing' approach is best. One where you learn as much as you can about as many disparate things as possible and to still deep degrees all the same. You want as many pegs to hang a hat on as you can get, curiosity is not wasted time.
I would say that, in terms of education for the masses, learning Calculus is a great way to develop the 'browser' side of things. General/public education is inherently to be made for the 'unkind learning environment'. Specializing and 10,000 hour grind-fests obviously aren't suitable.
Calc is especially useful as it gives the ideas of derivatives, rates, limits, and integrals for your mental toolset. These are powerfully broad ideas ripe for application. Additionally, as it is traditionally taught, it helps expand the mind to true higher math and lets pupils see how deep that logic/math rabbit hole can go. Lastly, the inescapable history behind it's development is another great dive and gives another avenue for the 'browser' mentality.
I can scarce think of a better subject outside of religious texts that provides such great tutelage for the 'unkind' learning environment that is life.
David Epstein's Range is a good way to look at outcome based learning.
There are 'Kind Learning Environments'. Things like chess, golf, concert piano, etc. The goal is easy to define, you can rank yourself against others, and the feedback on effort is quick. In such scenarios, so argues Epstein, the 10,000 hour grind is a best way to achieve success.
There are 'Unkind Leaning Environments'. Things like tennis, jazz, business, etc. The goal is difficult to define, you cannot easily rank yourself against others, and the feedback on effort is slow or nonexistent. In these environments, Epstein says that a 'browsing' approach is best. One where you learn as much as you can about as many disparate things as possible and to still deep degrees all the same. You want as many pegs to hang a hat on as you can get, curiosity is not wasted time.
I would say that, in terms of education for the masses, learning Calculus is a great way to develop the 'browser' side of things. General/public education is inherently to be made for the 'unkind learning environment'. Specializing and 10,000 hour grind-fests obviously aren't suitable.
Calc is especially useful as it gives the ideas of derivatives, rates, limits, and integrals for your mental toolset. These are powerfully broad ideas ripe for application. Additionally, as it is traditionally taught, it helps expand the mind to true higher math and lets pupils see how deep that logic/math rabbit hole can go. Lastly, the inescapable history behind it's development is another great dive and gives another avenue for the 'browser' mentality.
I can scarce think of a better subject outside of religious texts that provides such great tutelage for the 'unkind' learning environment that is life.