The History of Moral Dilemmas for the Temporal Goals of Education

Implying that past outcomes have relevance to the questions before the survey was undertaken, it is enlightening to observe the generational differences in the way people respond to moral dilemmas. Surprisingly, the camp of ‘Students’ is more likely to explore the issues and beg for decisions which affect their future than the ‘Parents’ or ‘ grandparents ‘of the junior college.

Perhaps this is because Students have a vision of what constitutes a just world. They have been socialized to believe that they could make a just world. This belief is a function of their idealism. They have been schooled to know that the world is a fair place. Through socialization, the students have been taught that they have the power to make decisions for themselves and that others owe them respect and deference before them.

The parents and grandparents of students have not been trained in how to communicate in the same way. Most parents are more than willing to talk to their grandchildren about just about anything that is going on in their lives. But, these grandparents and parents just do not have the skillset, or the background, to be able to adequately communicate with their young people. This is not to say that the parents are unable to use the educational system to their advantage. grandparents are prolific writers, speakers, and publishers; and are often involved in the local library and book sales. Their Fall River, Massachusetts, group has even created a fictitious email address, [email protected], where they will send articles and information to students and parents. Time will tell, as the parents gain confidence and experience, they will increase their communication with their children, grandchildren, and their friends.

While the above-mentioned heritage of communication and experience certainly contributed to the conversations among the respondents as well as the findings presented-how it was achieved remains secondary. It certainly did not create them. The conversations were not structured to give everyone an opportunity to speak; they were structured to elicit what everyone knew already.

What we propose is that traditional methods of surveying (i.e., question and answer) are not the best method for gathering information. Results from current surveying projects-such as the PIR’s-will help to inform and shape the future of research. However, they may provide access to data needed to complete current projects, but they will not function as a research tool itself.

This idea is supported by the results from this study as well as previous research. Overall, the overwhelming preference is for more open-ended, solvent, and welcomes-contentful material (long-form projects) as opposed to surveys that have strict criteria for collecting data and studies.

How Can We Make Progress With This Information and Knowledge?

Now more than ever, information and knowledge are problems for the federal, state, and local governments. They are growing problems. Many people understand the need for improved information and knowledge. However, others are unclear about how to attain this so that the right information can be made easily available to those in need.

We can provide the answer by creating markets for government data and information resources and by helping to finance and sustain the research and projects that are already underway.

A market is a good place to start. Although there is a huge interest in government information and the development of improved and enhanced government information and services, there is much more to be done.

Improve government information and services:

Create markets for government data and information resources- some of these markets are based on specific needs such as the handling of fiscal responsibility, response to the needs of crime victims, promotion of democratic political reform and economic recovery, and development of youth sports and music programs, for example.

• Use the government’s existing information technology systems to make information more accessible
• Oversee development of local information technology systems through networking and information sharing
• Establish open information channels such as permaculture blogs, forums, white papers, and emails to increase information circulation and draw viewers or readers, respectively.
• Promote the publication and use of information, especially those that relate to economics, business, education, entertainment, arts, culture, and transportation
• Invest in the future of education
• Seek new ways to promote education
• Have a broader range of educational interests, including the full range of academic subjects
• Enhance professional learning, particularly in the areas of leadership and management, professional and technical services, health and sanitation, and food security.