Week 9 - Should education 'stretch' a person?

When we think of putting a person through education, I think the concept ‘stretch’ wouldn’t be the right terminology to use.
If I used an ordinary child as an example of being put through education, of course we want them to do the best they can to their ability. However the concept of stretched makes it sound as though they are being forced into it by the parent.
I’d say that education should challenge the child a little more so as results seem to be growing higher every year, which simply shows the level of intelligence in young individuals is rising (and not that silly theory that key stage exams are getting easier).
Although I’d only say ‘stretch’ is a strong word for that example for those of a young age.
If we were to look at undergraduates like ourselves, this would be more appropriate. With the majority of degree’s lasting three years, the student should be pushed or stretch to the best of their abilities. The whole idea of university is to prepare them for a better career/life and if a bit of extra momentum will help that, then more the better.
However it’s not just with the work load that can stretch a person’s education. With this unit titled ‘new media’, it can stretch a persons ability to use programs and gain further knowledge through different sources. What I’d mean here would be the online resources such as the portal, blackboard and e-learning. This would certainly be useful in this digital age we are entering and living in and certainly an advantage to those who are classed as digital immigrants and have to compete with natives who are already use to these technological advances.