"Learning as Freedom" Precise

In “Learning as Freedom”—an editorial published on September 5, 2012 in The New York Times—Michael Roth argues that rather than structuring education around specific vocations, “making the grade,” and turning people into “robots” designed to complete certain tasks, education should allow individuals to be free to grow and learn while gaining necessary skills and finding their purpose and significance in life and work.  Roth touches on the issues that are affecting students learning in university settings today and warns us not to allow these issues, no matter the level of urgency, to interfere with the truth of learning.  He also quotes philosopher John Dewey for having similar, if not identical ideals; such as the idea of “plasticity”, or an openness to learning by experience and, in turn, continuously learning from everyone we come in contact with as they simultaneously learn from us simply by living.  The key to blending the ability to learn real-world skills while learning by doing is to form learning habits that will allow for this type of educating, allowing for students to both grow as individuals and citizens.  Learning by doing is freedom, Michael states, and that freedom should be integrated into our societies so as to strive towards democracy; this type of learning would allow for individuals to become highly satisfied and aware of their significance not only in the work place, but within their family, society, and themselves.