What we are doing in educating students is trying to prepare them to live more fulfilling lives for the decades after they graduate. And trying to provide a better, richer, fairer, more decent society for the generations after. Derek Bok decadedecenteducate share on social
Most high governmental officials who speak of education policy seem to conceive of education in this light - as a way to ensure economic competitiveness and continued economic growth. I strongly disagree with this approach. Derek Bok approachcompetitivenessconceive share on social
Ever since economists revealed how much universities contribute to economic growth, politicians have paid close attention to higher education. Derek Bok attentionclosecontribute Change image and share on social
I won't say there aren't any Harvard graduates who have never asserted a superior attitude. But they have done so to our great embarrassment and in no way represent the Harvard I know. Derek Bok assertattitudeembarrassment Change image and share on social
Good teaching is creating really interesting generalizations out of war stories. Derek Bok creategeneralizationgood Change image and share on social
The first country to adopt happiness as an official goal of public policy is the tiny little country of Bhutan in Asia near China and India. Derek Bok adoptasiabhutan Change image and share on social
For some students, especially in the sciences, the knowledge gained in college may be directly relevant to graduate study. For almost all students, a liberal arts education works in subtle ways to create a web of knowledge that will illumine problems and enlighten judgment on innumerable occasions in later life. Derek Bok artcollegecreate share on social
Efforts to develop critical thinking falter in practice because too many professors still lecture to passive audiences instead of challenging students to apply what they have learned to new questions. Derek Bok applyaudiencechallenge Change image and share on social
Colleges do not merely offer preparation for the future; they occupy four years of a student's life, and an institution should do what it can to make these years absorbing and enjoyable. Derek Bok absorbcollegeenjoyable Change image and share on social
Colleges and universities, for all the benefits they bring, accomplish far less for their students than they should. Many students graduate without being able to write well enough to satisfy their employers... reason clearly or perform competently in analyzing complex, non-technical problems. Derek Bok accomplishanalyzebenefit share on social