Introduction
The book authored by Gutek offers an incisive look at the impacts of major past events on education. The author is categorical that the collapse of the Soviet Union and the aspect of neo-conservatism significantly affected education standards from the early days. The history of formal education has also been drawn based on the ramifications of the Cold War era. Although both the First and Second World Wars grossly affected effective and smooth delivery of education, Gutek observes that the Cold War period has indirectly and remarkably impacted the delivery of education in equal measure (103). It is unfortunate that the era is still live in several leading nations.
Main Body
When East and West Germany reunited, it marked a major beginning towards fostering and streamlining the desired standards of education. The resurgence of ethnonationalism has also been cited as a major factor that impacted the ancient philosophies that were adopted in the field of education. The western ideals and heritage in education have also been discussed in the book with a special focus on landmark formative ideas as well as institutions.
The author has significantly contributed to the education realm through the diverse ideas presented in the book. For instance, the ancient education history gives a glimpse into the past and assists the reader to easily connect with the present philosophies and ideals in education. It is interesting to mention that modern trends and philosophies in education have heavily borrowed from an early education in America.
Greco-Roman education had three main levels. Poetry, recitation, writing, building words, syllables, numbers, and learning letters were some of the core components of the first level of Greco-Roman education. Grammatikosi marked the second level. Longer passages of reading were incorporated in the study. In other words, the level of complexity was placed a notch higher. Authors such as Apollonius of Rhodes, Pindar, Hesiod, and Homer (through Homeric education) were studied during the second level of education. The latter was considered to be necessary because learners were supposed to be prepared for more intense rhetoric studies in the subsequent levels.
Learners who excelled and had the means were allowed to proceed to the tertiary level. Both philosophy and rhetoric were studied at the tertiary level. The education model at this level was mainly shaped by ideologies from Pseudo-Cicero and Quintilian. Learners were supposed to be thoroughly conversant with the skills and competencies of delivering a speech. In order to attain a full Greco-Roman education, an individual was expected to possess the ability to write competently in Greek.
From the above discussion, it can be seen that the Greco-Roman education mainly prepared learners to be astute writers and excellent public speakers. It is vital to mention that the abilities to memorize, criticize, recite, and deliver speech were considered to the hallmark of education at the tertiary level.
Conclusion
The modern public and private education systems have largely borrowed from these ancient systems. For example, American education today has three distinct levels namely elementary, middle-level grades and higher learning institutions. However, modern-day education has been broadened. There are myriads of lessons incorporated in contemporary curricula. For example, learners are encouraged to diversify their learning abilities by studying at least two core disciplines. In addition, public and private schools have diversified the delivery of education in the sense that learners have the option of majoring in liberal arts instead of focusing completely on the technical courses (Graham, 88).
Works Cited
Graham, Donovan. Teaching Redemptively: Bringing Grace and Truth Into Your Classroom. New York: Purposeful Design Publications, 2003. Print.
Gutek, Gerald. A History of the Western Educational Experience. New York: Waveland Press, 1995. Print.