What is Education: Definition and 509 Discussions

Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, morals, beliefs, and habits. Educational methods include teaching, training, storytelling, discussion and directed research. Education frequently takes place under the guidance of educators, however learners can also educate themselves. Education can take place in formal or informal settings and any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts may be considered educational. The methodology of teaching is called pedagogy.
Formal education is commonly divided formally into such stages as preschool or kindergarten, primary school, secondary school and then college, university, or apprenticeship.
There are movements for education reforms, such as for improving quality and efficiency of education towards applicable relevance in the students' lives and efficient problem solving in modern or future society at large or for evidence-based education methodologies. A right to education has been recognized by some governments and the United Nations. Global initiatives aim at achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes quality education for all. In most regions, education is compulsory up to a certain age.

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  1. micromass

    Insights Omissions in Mathematics Education: Gauge Integration - Comments

    micromass submitted a new PF Insights post Omissions in Mathematics Education: Gauge Integration Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
  2. L

    Studying Trouble with kinematics and other basic physical concepts

    [You don't need to read the whole thing, but I'd recommend doing so, because there are examples of my struggles somewhere in there, like specific problems.] Greetings as usual, It's me again. That hopeful physicist who somehow found himself at the wrong place with the wrong mind in the wrong...
  3. Sayed Asaduzzaman

    Admissions Pursue a PhD in Photonics After BSc (Engg.)

    Is there any way yo pursue Phd degree after completing Undergraduate degree/ BSc(Engg.) in photonics?
  4. Liam C

    Schools Is it too late to turn around my grades (High School)?

    Let me preface this by saying I am in the ninth grade: I ended my grade 9 math course with a 60%. Why, one might ask? Because I was lazy and not thinking about my future. It's my own fault. I am going to retake the course online by correspondence and do my best. I think I have potential and...
  5. spero14159

    My role as a teacher in higher education: feeling useless

    This one may sound like a rant, so please forgive me if I am generalizing a lot. In my student life as well as teaching career, I have noticed an alarming trend that makes me question the worthiness of my profession. The only type of students that I (as well as other teachers I have seen in...
  6. quantumsuperposition

    A few Quick questions about improving physics education

    Hi Everyone, I am a physics teacher who is working on methods to make physics education easier to grasp for undergrads. I was wondering for help on a few questions I have for any currently struggling in general physics. When you find yourself stuck on a problem for homework, which resources do...
  7. S

    Other What mathematics programs will I use during my education?

    I'm currently building a PC and I want to buy components that will be able to support whatever programs/software I will be using while getting my degree. I'm going to be starting the physics program at my university this fall so I don't really know what my professors will be having me...
  8. C

    Prereqs for learning particle physics?

    I want to start studying particle physics on my own and wanted to know what the prerequisite are? I'm in my second year of college and have finished Calc. 3 and Physics with calc. 3. I'd also be interested in textbook recommendations.
  9. W

    I CMB Education Tool - Adjust Contrasts & Visualize Effects

    Hi . When you look at the CMb with low contrast it should look like a uniform colour. But when you turn up the contrast you see the differences in temperature at 1 part in 100,00. I seem to remember seeing a tool somewhere where there was a slider you could adjust and see this change in a visual...
  10. K

    Courses How to succeed in upper-level math

    This question will essentially be more of a how-to plea or general help request. I'm currently studying math and I'm at the point where I've transitioned into upper-division classes, most if not all of which are proof based. To be blunt, I currently feel discouraged at the prospect of being...
  11. Derek Francis

    Other In my opinion, general education classes are not a waste of time

    I used to think that gen ed classes (like literature, humanities, fine arts) were a waste of time. Now, I realize that they have value within a lucrative major. The purpose of college is to be well-rounded academically. It's what makes a college degree different from a 6-month nursing course...
  12. B

    How Can I Help My Son Overcome Insecurities in Math and Physics?

    Hi, my name is Ben and I'm from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. My son and I are trying to understand more about math and physics. My educational background is philosophy (M.A.). He has grown up (he's now 18) always feeling insecure and left behind in math and physics and I want to change that. He is...
  13. Zionic

    What are Zionic's interests and accomplishments in the world of science?

    Hello, Hope you are having a great day so far. My name is Dominique, but feel free to refer me as Zionic. I am currently attending a University and majoring in Chemical Physics with a minor Concentration in Nuclear Science. However, I'm transitioning into Chemical Engineering through another...
  14. OrangeDog

    Quality of Education in the US

    Having graduated from university 4 years ago (B.S. Aeronautical Engineering) and currently working in industry for the last 2 years, I've noticed a startling number of engineering graduates who don't have basic skills one would think an engineering graduate would have acquired during their...
  15. D

    MHB Probability Help Needed: Tertiary Education in African Countries

    Hello :) my question is on Probability. "Based on the research done in African countries, 66.67% of the sample taken of the average skills level of people between the age of 16 and 30 is a matric certificate or no formal education. Q:Assume that you randomly email 10 people between the ages 18...
  16. C

    Other Why am I being penalized for learning more in my education?

    I was working tonight on a Lab Report for an upper level Undergraduate Physics course. My friend who took the class last year gave me the report he did and received a grade of 95%. I go into my work session with a set of goals for my report based on what he wrote, but as I am writing and...
  17. hubot

    Intro Physics What do you think about the Feynman lectures?

    Hi! I've bought book Feynman lectures, Feynman exercises and Physics Jay Orear. Is worthwhile to buy Landau and Lifshitz books? I'm beginner in physics. I'm not sure what to school textbooks. School programme is too easy for me. I need more accurate source to learn physics. Although in my school...
  18. AndrewRibeiro

    Section for articles written by members

    Hello everyone, New member here, love the site, but it is missing something I'd love ( or perhaps I can't find it ). I'm taking a physics course on Edx and the community TA's write up great short articles that aid in understanding a problem or particular concept. I'd love to have some sort of...
  19. DrClaude

    Is the Politics of Education Too Real?

    Another gem from SMBC. Don't know if I want to laugh or cry, this is too real. Edit: If the image is too small, click on the link above to see the original.
  20. B

    Classroom demonstrations for younger students

    I'm a senior in high school taking AP Physics II, and I was recently elected as the president of my schools Science Club. Our first thing to do is to go to the local elementary schools and give interesting physics demonstrations to the younger students grades K-6. I really enjoy space and I know...
  21. M

    Non-Traditional Physics Education at the Graduate Level

    I'm sort of confused how to go about finding my educational path. I've been studying alone for some time, quantum field theory, quantum mechanics, relativity and I am struggling. I went to school graduate actually in mathematics, studied general relativity, some quantum. I have a degree in math...
  22. anorlunda

    Expunging Myths from The Classrooom

    I am not an educator. However, I just read a fascinating article that just screamed "education issue" as I read it. The article was: The point of the article is that I and almost all other students of engineering or science were taught that the Tacoma Bridge (known as Galloping Gertie)...
  23. Salvador

    Online education question [physics]

    Hi, I've recently heard about some education that one can attend through online courses and get a diplome at the end which is internationally accredited, this is just an example and maybe they offer this because that education is in social sciences , I wonder how it is with areas like physics? I...
  24. M

    Education sequence->bachelors to masters or bachelors to PhD

    Hello All, I am confused about something, and I am hoping that someone can clear this up! The more that I talk to people in "STEM" fields, the more it seems that their education sequence is to go from bachelors to PhD and they just skip the masters entirely. Is this common? Or am I just...
  25. Dopplershift

    Teaching High School and Pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics: Is It Possible?

    I've been reading recently that there is a new branch of physics offered in graduate school with an emphasis on physics education, and is something I am considering doing. I'm also working on getting my teaching license to teach high school. But the thing is that I really want to get a Ph.D...
  26. D

    Which major do you think would be the best for me?

    I've had this notebook of things I've wanted to create and sell since I was a really young girl, but I don't know how to make them. Therefore, I thought I could go into engineering, because a) I want to learn how to make them, and b) I'm really interested in the concept of engineering and seeing...
  27. whitsona

    Foucault Pendulum: How important is release mechanism?

    I built just a long pendulum in my house in order to start looking at a simple Foucault pendulum "prove the Earth moves" event at the science museum I'm helping to start here in Pensacola. It gave me a nicely reliable movement that seemed to show the pattern I was looking for. Every time, it...
  28. M

    Options in higher education in physics (no math/science bkg)

    Hello! I've been reading this forum for a while now, and while I see many threads asking about similar questions as I am, I still cannot get answers to some of my questions. So I hope to get some advice here on PF. I am very interested in pursuing a career in Physics, but I don't have any...
  29. ElPimiento

    Studying Courses/Books Recommended for Metamaterial Research?

    I'm a first year student in college and I've started shadowing under a grad student, who's in a nano-optics research group (http://www.nanoscience.ucf.edu/chanda/), in order to learn about microfabrication. I'd like to start conducting my own research soon; however, i don't know exactly what it...
  30. M

    What does GCE (UK) involve (A-levels)?

    Hi! What does the General Certificate of Education (?) in the UK involve? Is it the same as A-levels? Edit: It says I need the GCE with two A-levels, what does this mean?
  31. bcrowell

    Open-access physics education journals?

    I've gotten a couple of requests to referee papers for the European Journal of Physics, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Journal_of_Physics , which is a journal that publishes pedagogical papers (not original physics research). Both of these were for pedagogy papers having to do with...
  32. pankaj66866

    Engineering How do i continue my Physics education as a CS Engineer.

    Hi I am a Computer Engineer, with 8 yrs of experience and i love physics and mathematics. I love my Job And really like computer science. But i also like Physics. I don't want to make a career in Physics or change my career, but i want to continue my physics education. Any suggestions ?
  33. M

    Relevant General Education Courses?

    I'm a first year physics and astronomy major at Ohio State(double major). I just got the information for when my scheduling window opens and I'm thinking about what kind of general education courses I should be taking. I notice that physicists are typically well versed in a lot of topics outside...
  34. R

    Rocket: Learn Rocket Science for NASA Student Launch Initiative

    Hi! So I'm a college student and I was looking at trying to get together a group to compete in NASA's student launch initiative. However I don't really know anything about rocketry and don't know where to start. I'm currently studying mechanical engineering and planning on emphasizing in...
  35. Ghostcrown

    Presenting to middle-schoolers on black holes - suggestions?

    My professor wants me to make a 15 minute oral presentation on black holes for an event we have going on on campus. How should I structure it? I think I have a pretty good understanding of the concept of a black hole, but I don't want to get caught off guard during the 5 minute Q&A section. My...
  36. G

    Online EE Degree: What You Need to Know | Gera

    Hi everyone, I am in the process of transferring from a community college to a 4 year university.. I worked full time, have a family and not young. My State University offers an online EE Program that from some teachers appears to be recognized in the country.. Even though I want to finish...
  37. Kimpoy

    Interesting undergraduate thesis topic for Physics education

    Hello everyone, I am a Physics education major in the Philippines.I am now on the stage of doing an undergraduate thesis as a requirement for my degree. I would like to ask for suggestion out there, for an interesting topic to be considered. I would really appreciate topics that gives a little...
  38. Meron

    BSc Physics in Malaysia: Meron's Journey to University

    Hello everyone! I'm Meron, and I'm a high school senior. As you've already guessed, this is the time for me to think of which university I should be attending. I'm currently residing in Saudi Arabia, and studying at a school which follows the Indian system. I'm thinking of being a physicist when...
  39. E

    Self Education Help: Advice for Starting Over in Math

    Hello, I'm in a particularly difficult educational situation. I was "home-schooled" my whole life, and I essentially wasn't taught anything. I was allowed to do whatever work I wanted, whenever I wanted to do it. I never realized how important education is until I got out in the real...
  40. B

    Inquiry about my time management and planning skills

    I am a rising college junior with major in the mathematics and an aspiring mathematician in the theoretical computer science and analysis. I wrote this post because I have been suffering from a problem regarding to my time management and planning skills. I have been using the planner and...
  41. bcrowell

    Education app demonstrating 2nd law of thermodynamics

    I recently posted about a browser-based educational app that graphs the position, velocity, and acceleration of the mouse's vertical motion. In the same spirit, I've written an app that demonstrates the statistical basis of the second law of thermodynamics by simulating the free expansion of a...
  42. P

    Do pretty girls not care about a guy's education?

    My mom always used to tell me that girls are attracted to guys with a good education but now I'm thinking it was something she just told to get me to study. I've noticed that I have no more luck with girls than my friends who don't have an education past high school and that in many cases, guys...
  43. C

    How can I do physics with a delayed education?

    I'm 21 years old, living in India. Due to my psychiatrists misdiagnosing my illness, I was given the wrong medicines, and due to the mental damage caused by them, my academic record is terrible. I technically haven't even passed 12th grade. Due to personal and financial issues, I can't go to...
  44. L = K - U

    An olympiad student interested in Cambridge

    Hi to everyone, this is my first post in this forum. I am really stressed and confused at the moment. I really need help from a Cambridge student/teacher/alumni. (This is going to be a long post, so bear with me) I am a Thai student, who was in the top finals of Thailand's Physics Olympiad...
  45. O

    Learning from physics journals

    I will be working as an assistant for the first time in my life soon. I wanted to ask your opinions on teaching people to learn from physics journals. When I started doing real research, I think the first problem I came across was that reading journals is hard, and learning from them is even...
  46. S

    Science education vs general science knowledge

    This feels like a strange question but it's something I've often wondered so I was curious about other peoples opinions. I'm currently half way through a Chemistry degree and have been doing reasonably well. However I feel that the chemistry knowledge I have is only good for helping me answer...
  47. Alice Ann Chloe

    What education do I need to cure diseases?

    I want to cure the major diseases like Ebola, cancer, and ALS. What do I need to do?
  48. S

    Schools Do graduate schools accept distance education degrees?

    I hold a 3 year BEng in Mechanical from a British university and currently I am working. I want to switch over to Physics. I am planning to do a BSc degree with Physics major from an distance education university in India namely IGNOU i.e. Indira Gandhi National Open University. This program...
  49. P

    Can I succeed as a physicist without natural ability in math?

    I'm having serious problems deciding on a path for my education. Recently I've self-studied physics and considered a physics major, but I'm having problems staying motivated and interested in it. The math is also becoming a problem. I'm not sure that I would survive 4 years of it. The main...
  50. Aivadna

    Advancing My Education: Advice on Applying to University of Chicago

    Hi I am a student from a developing country where I attend a British based university which is fully accredited by the royal charter. I am currently an undergrad studying for a double degree one in medical physics and the other in applied chemistry. I am working towards qualifying for a position...
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