The sad state of Education

[Godwynn]

I got this idea from newfangle's thread about he has to take stupid crap unrelated to his major to get a degree. EDIT: and also that reform math thread.

So the first day of Geography class our instructor made us draw a map of the Earth without looking at one.

The following was shown to us, and was drawn by someone in my class. Although this is not the original, it is very close to the one on the projector screen.

So... now that you are depressed about humanity and our survival as a species. I was wondering, is this just an American phenomena, or does it happen across the globe where it seems people are more interested in who won American Idol than actually completing a report on time. What can be done to change this, within reason?

 

[newfangle]

I'd bet a crumpet that most people in the world are just as ignorant about geography as an average American.

It has nothing to do with our education systems, rather, it has more to do with the average person being dumber than a chimp with down syndrome.

 

[The 777 Hoax]

That's terrible. I agree with you 100%. This is depressing.

 

[Godwynn]

I'd bet a crumpet

I guess my college education hasn't taught me what a 'crumpet' is

 

[Atropos]

Hey, he knew the relative positions of Canada, Mexico and the US...Not bad...

Seriously though, I have a German friend who told me once about a map test he once took. The map had various major errors (e.g. Australia missing iirc), which students were supposed to spot. After the test, one of his classmates said, "How clever - we were supposed to spot that there were no errors!"

 

[The 777 Hoax]

Crumpet!!!

 

[Godwynn]

Crumpet!!!

Isn't that just a fatter pancake?

 

[IglooDame]

So... now that you are depressed about humanity and our survival as a species. I was wondering, is this just an American phenomena, or does it happen across the globe where it seems people are more interested in who won American Idol than actually completing a report on time. What can be done to change this, within reason?

You added the "within reason" restriction just to head off my suggestion to beat anyone who produces a map like that with a 15" Earth globe until they're unconscious, didn't you?

Anyway, I think trying osmosis can't hurt... well, okay, can't hurt anyone that matters.

 

[Godwynn]

You added the "within reason" restriction just to head off my suggestion to beat anyone who produces a map like that with a 15" Earth globe until they're unconscious, didn't you?

Yes, every little word matters with all the crazies here.

I was actually trying to stop the 'KILLAR THAEM ALL' posts before they began.

 

[Tycoon101]

This is why I hate the American schools system, stupidity incarnate.

I can draw a prettey darn good picture of the world, despite what other Americans can do.

 

[happy_Alex]

Actually, here's somecrumpet


BTW i thought the drawing of the world was quite a good pictogram, kind of like a tube map for alien visitors....

 

[Oruc]

This happens in England as well, My parents arent even sure which countries border france (some question on who wants to a millionaire ages ago)

 

[Godwynn]

This happens in England as well, My parents arent even sure which countries border france (some question on who wants to a millionaire ages ago)

 

[Xenocrates]

Private eye magazine publishes 'Dumb Britain' every two weeks:

DJ Danny: Napoleon died in St Helen’s [sic] on this day 165 years ago. What did he say on his death bed?
Lisa from Doncaster: Kiss me, Hardy.
DJ Danny: You’re right!
MAGIC AM BREAKFAST SHOW, SOUTH YORKS

Phil: What’s eleven squared?
Contestant: I don’t know.
Phil: I’ll give you a clue. It’s two ones with a two in the middle.
Contestant: Is it five?
PHIL WOOD SHOW, BBC RADIO MANCHESTER

If I was being cynical I'd say that education standards in every democracy are falling. Maybe the politicians want us to be stupid?

 

[skadistic]

Actually, here's somecrumpet

Thats what I thought a crumpet was. And a krimpet was a cake thingy. Or at least it is according to Tastykake.

 

[.Shane.]

I can draw a prettey darn good picture of the world, despite what other Americans can do.

I'm pretty good w/ geography, but people would think I suck at it due to my poor art skills.

 

[El_Machinae]

Well, it should be obvious to all that you owe yourself a superior education than you've gotten from the governmental system.

So, maybe read a book or two, on your own. It's the only short-term solution

 

[Xenocrates]

Well, it should be obvious to all that you owe yourself a superior education than you've gotten from the governmental system.

So, maybe read a book or two, on your own. It's the only short-term solution

I agree with this. Education is too important and we have to do it for ourselves. Soon we'll have to do everything for ourselves and Government and society will be completely pointless. But that's another story.

 

[Truronian]

Country location etc aren't actually taught in Geograhy in the UK, such things are far too political. We had one quiz on capital cities and that is about the only 'positional' Geography I ever learnt in school (even then we were given a map to find them).

 

[MamboJoel]

Country location etc aren't actually taught in Geograhy in the UK, such things are far too political.

Because they think 1/5 of the planet is momentaneously not british ;-)