Opportunities for learning LO1542

David E. Birren, MB/5, 608.267.2442 (BIRRED@dnr.state.wi.us)
Wed, 7 Jun 1995 08:54 CST

Responding to Bernard Girard in Re: The opportunity to learn LO1521:

Continuing discussion on the idea of students as customers purchasing the
opportunity to learn:

>I like your idea, but do you know of any other *opportunity* that we buy?
>Is there a market of opportunities? And how does it work? Could we say
>that when I buy a car, I buy the *opportunity* to go around town?

We buy all kinds of opportunties. I mentioned the example of going to the
doctor and buying diagnosis and treatment, which is the opportunity to
heal, but not the cure. Your example of buying a car actually contains a
duality: on the one hand, I buy a product, the car; on the other hand, I'm
also buying the opportunity to travel. But I think this takes us too far
afield. There are plenty of intangibles in the economy what we buy, which
represent opportunities without being actual products.

Another example might be the area of environmental regulations. We
purchase the opportunity to breathe clean air and the knowledge (or at
least a feeling of complacency) that our environmental values are being
supported. Or we might speak of the arts: my admission ticket to an art
museum could buy me an opportunity to take a nap, or to be inspired; like
education, it's up to me.

>I don't know the american system. In Europe (at least in France), we *buy*
>these *opportunities* with good academic results not with money. I guess
>it's the same in the states. So=8A would this market work with teacher's
>appreciations rather than $$?

I'm reading this with a sense of irony and a little chuckle. What a
wonderful economy it would be that thrived on appreciation!

David E. Birren Phone: (608)267-2442
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources Fax: (608)267-3579
Bureau of Management & Budget Internet: birred@dnr.state.wi.us
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"To know, and not to act, is to not know."
--Wang Yang Ming, 9th-century Chinese general