Scary Stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww shows you the future of our country. My vow to only give you good stuff ended at midnight last night.
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Comments, and on my pretentious days, essays, on what on a given day interests, amuses, annoys or outrages me.
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7 comments:
She didn't make a lick of sense. Hoo boy.
Unfortunately, I am well aware of the lapses of our educational system. My husband teaches introductory college physics to engineering students. He comes home and tells me about how the students do not have the math skills that they should have at this stage in their education. He tries to teach them "problem solving strategies" that will help them in this class and beyond. What the students are most interested in learning are "magic formulas" that they can simply plop a number into and get the right answer on a test.
I deal directly with a small number of students each year during their "clinical rotation" at our facility in the summer months. Some of them are very sharp, but others have a lot to learn -- both about their major field and about working in general. It is clear that some have never had a job before and don't have a clue about how to project a professional image.
Several times I have offered to let PDM (my husband) do a "guest rant" on my blog when he gets frustrated with his teaching experience. So far, he has refused. But I think what he has to say would be interesting (and probably somewhat depressing as well).
Is our distain a function of age? I really don't think so.
I don't have the benefit of my parents' view of my generation other than, "David, get a hair cut and get your feet off the couch."
But, I think I got a better education, and a better understanding of how to get along in the world than we seem to be giving our newest generation.
Weeping Jesus on the cross... That poor girl's parents... (holds head in hands)
Dave -- miss teen south carolina is hardly a proper paragon of the current generation, education-wise. Face it, she's in a beauty contest, not a science fair. the entry qualifications for each are radically different. My 14 year old, indeed, my 11 year old, would come with better, more coherent answers. Of course, being MY kids, I'm not sure they should be looked at as a typical example. :)
Agreed - on all points mentioned in the post as well as the comments. True enough, she's probably not a science major in high school, definitely not a geographic whiz kid either but still, aren't these contests supposed to display young ladies who have beauty plus brains?
Being a US History teacher - I spend a lot of time with my 8th graders on US geography. I have no less than 3 maps of the world/US in my room on display that I consistently use during instruction, and they have map projects to every 3 weeks which must be done. I can tell you - my kids will definately NOT fit into the category that this unfortunately girl has fallen. I also take time with my kids on current events - make them write opinions based on the core democratic values in light of current events. Hopefully, I am at least approaching our youth in an admirable way - any suggestions for improvement is greatly appreciated however! -Laurie
Reading the comments, I have to amend my somewhat flippant post, though I have to say, I was on the curve early in the media boomlet it, the YouTube clip created.
I don't mean to diss good teachers and good parents, Laurie and Pos, respectively. Either or a combination of bad teachers and parents can hurt a child.
I'm not a parent but I was a teacher, long ago and far away. I've always thought that if a family raises its kids to love to read and learn that schools can't hurt them. Conversely, if a kid didn't get those loves from home, a great teacher can make up for it.
Am I forgiven?
Thanks Dave - you're forgiven :) Incidentally - you requested that I write more on my blog - which I have done. It's not nearly as insigtful or interesting as your stuff - but it's stuff nonetheless. Sometimes I just need an outlet for my rediculous thoughts - and sometimes I actually am inspired to say something worthwhile. Enjoy - Laurie
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