Redesign of educational systems needed: Expert
JAKARTA (JP): An expert suggested that Asia-Pacific countries redesign their educational systems so that they give more attention toward the element of emotion in the learning process.
Henry S. Tenedero of the Manila-based Center for Learning and Teaching Styles made the suggestion during a break at a seminar on the newly introduced concept of the emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) yesterday.
Emotional intelligence, another human resource strength besides the traditional IQ (intelligence quotient) potential, is important for the development of human resources that are needed for globalization, he said.
Tenedero cited the region's rapid economic growth as one of the reasons why it should adjust its educational systems.
The concept of EQ, whose creator Daniel Goleman argued is more of a predictor of success than IQ, is needed to redesign the region's methods of teaching and learning, Tenedero said.
He described the importance of emotions in terms of maximizing one's productivity, and his center's campaign was not to reject the concept of IQ but to "give IQ a heart".
Tenedero was trained at St. John's University in Jamaica, New York -- which is also home to the International Learning Styles Network, to which Tenedero's center is also affiliated.
His doctoral dissertation was titled Breaking the IQ Myth Learning Styles. Multiple Emotional Intelligence in the Learning Environment.
"There's no point for a country to have students who graduate with honors without solid emotions," he said. He cited Bill Gates, the world-renowned tycoon and owner of Microsoft, who dropped out of Harvard University but later became the world's richest man.
"A classic example would be Albert Einstein, who at nine was never eloquent, but was later able to master his creativity," he added.
He said the current paradigm, which says that people are intelligent if they score high on the IQ scale, should be changed to one that encourages the belief that everyone can be intelligent.
"Nobody is stupid, unless the problem is clinical by nature. Everybody has the potential to succeed in life," he said. "But a school system has to create a (favorable) environment."
The seminar, titled "Emotional Intelligence: Alternative for Success in the 21st Century", was sponsored and organized by Tarumanegara University with about 50 people participating who were mostly university teachers.
Tenedero acknowledged the difficulties in redesigning entire educational systems in countries in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Indonesia.
"It needs time ... to change the traditional education paradigm that is IQ-centered that has been rooted for almost 100 years," he said.
"It will certainly take leadership of the school system, the support of the ministries of education ... because the proposed change will meet resistance," Tenedero said. (aan)