why do we go to school? @$*%*#!) seriously

[Hygro]

Isnt Dom3000 home educated ?
I guess its is good for Republicans and Libertarians.

And I partially was as well.

 

[ywhtptgtfo]

Isnt Dom3000 home educated ?
I guess its is good for Republicans and Libertarians.

And look at how many wackos we have among the Republicans and rednecks.

 

[sophie]

And look at how many wackos we have among the Republicans and rednecks.

thatsthejoke.jpg

 

[ywhtptgtfo]

thatsthejoke.jpg

I like spelling things out. And unfortunately, Ron Paul is now Libertarian.

 

[Joecoolyo]

You should also take note that the situation is not the same across the world. East Asian countries have very intense educational programs that produce high school graduates with numerous academic skills that are on par with senior university students in Western universities.

It's just that North American education system had been dumbed down steadily over the years for various reasons.

I'd take those statistics with a grain of salt, if I were you. I hear there's a lot funny stuff that goes on, especially in China, to purposely make their numbers seem better than they actually are.

 

[Birdjaguar]

I haven't found that to be true at all. I would say the opposite is more of a reality--that the intelligence you gain from the university learning experience spreads outside the university into friend groups, media, workplaces, cafes and bars, families, neighborhoods, etc.


I certainly can't speak for everyone's experience, but if I were in charge with the sole goal of advancing the education of children I would cut back the total hours and make most of the format one that treats the kids with more grown up dignity while also basically letting them play most of the day.

If you create the right games for them to play, they will learn even more. In the 1970s I ran an "alternative" school (1-6) and we (myself and two other teachers) created our own curriculum. We focused on basic skills (reading, math, science, writing) and then added what made us truly different. We had regular group problem solving events. Each semester the whole school was divided into groups of 6 to 8 students each and for the semester that would be their group for problems solving. The problems almost always involved both physical challenges and intellectual challenges and the group only succeeded if everyone in the group participated and finished the effort. We themed problems based on movies and TV. We blindfolded them or made them solve things in total silence. They all saw it a challenging play and were very competitive. Those events were everyone's highlight. We did it for six years. Then I had to go find a "real" job.

I would like to track those kids down and see how they perceive those school days now.

 

[Hygro]

Wow, yeah if you can follow up and let us know that'd be straight up amazing to read about.

 

[cybrxkhan]

I'd take those statistics with a grain of salt, if I were you. I hear there's a lot funny stuff that goes on, especially in China, to purposely make their numbers seem better than they actually are.

I would also add that the high achieving stats in Asian countries don't tell the other side of the story, so to speak - such as the notorious mental and physical stress students in East Asian schools are under. While society here in America is hierarchical too, it is much more visibly so in Asia, so being able to shoot for the top is a must. The system for determining success is ultimately brutal at times. I've heard of a case in a Singaporean school where a student who got a 95% on an exam - one that determined ones grade for that class - failed because everyone did better. I do not know how true that story is (sounds a lot like some very twisted curve anyhow), but it does give the general idea very well. There is also apparently a saying in Japan, "Four hours of sleep, pass. Five hours of sleep, fail." Overall you do hear exaggerations about the brutality of the Asian school system, but in general they are not too far-fetched nor entirely wrong in concept: being Asian myself, even though I was born and grew up here in the states, I have come across quite a number of older and younger Asians from different countries, and from their stories and anecdotes, I can definitely say the brutal Asian school system is a reality.


Additionally, one other interesting thing I've learned - or so some of those same Asians have told me - is that school before college may be brutal, but college itself is a piece of cake compared to America, which actually baffles me. I don't know how true this is.


Lastly, there's one other thing those statistics don't show. I've heard and read a number of teachers and professors saying they prefer students who went to elementary/middle/high schools in Western Europe to those in Asia, because even those in Asia technically do well in classes, they can't apply or use the concepts they've learned as creatively as western students. The Asian school system has focused too much on test taking, rote learning and memorization. Ironically some of the major problems people tend to mention about the American school system.



Ultimately, what I guess my point here is that I don't think people should be using Asia as an example to look up to. The well-performing places in Europe, I think, hold better clues on how to improve the educational system.

 

[ywhtptgtfo]

I'd take those statistics with a grain of salt, if I were you. I hear there's a lot funny stuff that goes on, especially in China, to purposely make their numbers seem better than they actually are.

I am speaking from firsthand experience in dealings with Chinese colleagues. Even in 2nd or 3rd year math or science courses, they often tell me that the stuff were already taught in high school. And of course, my parents are teachers in Hong Kong. They often commented that the high school curriculum in Ontario is very lax (as do many of their friends who are also ex-teachers).

And since you'd like to talk about the Chinese cooking numbers up, let me remind you that grade inflation is a serious problem that plagues the top institutes in USA. This includes even Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.

 

[ywhtptgtfo]

Additionally, one other interesting thing I've learned - or so some of those same Asians have told me - is that school before college may be brutal, but college itself is a piece of cake compared to America, which actually baffles me. I don't know how true this is.

That's what I heard too. It wouldn't be such a surprise. Otherwise, degrees in North American and European universities wouldn't have been that popular in East Asia.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

And since you'd like to talk about the Chinese cooking numbers up, let me remind you that grade inflation is a serious problem that plagues the top institutes in USA. This includes even Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.

Yes, but the point still stands and it's a bit more troublesome than simple grade inflation. For one thing, Hong Kong =/= China, yet it's HK (and some other cities) that are held up as shining examples of China's fantastic/rigorous/whatever education system. For another thing, 'Hong Kong' students =/= all the kids of school age in HK, only those wealthy/lucky enough to have official residence papers that allow them access to HK schools. The majority of kids in HK or most other big Chinese cities basically aren't allowed to go to school, which further skews the numbers.

Finally, there's a reason why people from across the world try and get into Harvard, Princeton, Yale and not their Chinese counterparts.

 

[madviking]

oh man i go on vacation and threads like these crop up.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

Troll threads never go away brah.

 

[madviking]

this one is a grade a specimen

 

[ywhtptgtfo]

For another thing, 'Hong Kong' students =/= all the kids of school age in HK, only those wealthy/lucky enough to have official residence papers that allow them access to HK schools.

It's illegal for kids not to go to school in Hong Kong. Even kids from the poorest parts of the society have to go to school. I wonder where you get this piece of information from. Please cite credible sources.

As for mainland cities, I have little idea. However, the general comments from my HK friends and relative are that mainland schools are even more demanding.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

I just read a BBC article on this. This is also not a new piece of information, it's been known for a long time. Go find your own source.

 

[FriendlyFire]

And look at how many wackos we have among the Republicans and rednecks.

Critical thinking is an enemy of the Republicans which is why Domm3000 was so naive, as reflected in hes forum posting. Thats why more and more young people are Democrats and Republicans are trying to undercut education.

 

[Smellincoffee]

You need to get used to be told what to do, constantly, and meaningless school council elections prepare you for the uselessness of voting in national elections. Gotta stick the kiddies somewhere when mom and dad are both at work all day.

 

[Flying Pig]

You need to get used to be told what to do, constantly, and meaningless school council elections prepare you for the uselessness of voting in national elections. Gotta stick the kiddies somewhere when mom and dad are both at work all day.

I worked in a school for a while, and occasionally heard the kids talk about school council elections, and complain that each class' vote just went to the most popular person in the class. I remember thinking that being the most popular person in the class probably wasn't a bad qualification for a post which supposedly involved representing their views.

 

[Tahuti]

Isnt Dom3000 home educated ?
I guess its is good for Republicans and Libertarians.

In the Netherlands, you can be sent to an Orthodox Protestant school where creationism is teached. I wouldn't blame homeschooling entirely.

So there's an exception. That doesn't mean it's not true for the most part.

It are often the extreme exceptions that make it worthwhile.