BeauchampT
Well-known member
Beauchamp, I made the comment you referred to but you are taking it out of context. Formal education is very important but it depends on where you get it. I was specifically referring to graphic arts oriented education which is a problem.
You seem to have the idea that formal eduction is of little value and I would just say that is a damaging view. OK you may not want to spend the time to get a formal education and want to learn what you think you can learn on your own. This may work out very well for you but it is a risky path. Most people will not put the effort in learning. Learning on ones own is not as efficient as a formal education. Learning on the internet is a hit or miss situation.
An education is only a starting point and not a final point. An education is something you get so you can learn more as time goes on.
@Erik
Sorry for taking your quote out of context...my mistake.
To clarify, I don't believe formal education is unnecessary. The calculus I learned in school, the physics and chemistry, english comprehension - all of it has been necessary in order for me to learn. At times, I recognize that a deeper understanding of these things (perhaps gained through post-secondary education) would make it easier. So please don't take my comments as an attack on education. It is needed.
However, my point is more that formal education frequently fails to produce intelligent workers. Good workers start out as good workers; education equips them. Education seldom can change a poor worker into a good one. Searching for affirmation from accredited educational facilities won't always lead to good results because we work in an industry that evolves so quickly and is constantly leading into new technologies (and resultant problems)
Educational programs need people who know the work well to create them. And it can't just be a few (a couple of teachers or profs don't understand the ENTIRE realm of printing and pre-press). That's why I say that for a formal education system to work, it needs to be intially created (and then maintained) by the printing community.
Perhaps an unrealisitic view, but then again, I'm young
And yes, I am very fortunate to be where I am