08 Jul 07
What is the purpose of education? Some responses to my thread about the (alleged) Geographical illiteracy of the average American suggest that some believe it is purely a means to make more money. The intrinsic value of it doesn't seem to to come into it. As a Maths (Not Math!) teacher I am constantly asked what the point of it is - or "When will we ever use Trigonometry?" My response of "In the exams! You need to do well in them to go to college and then get a good job" only partially placates them. Personally I would like to teach much more 'problem solving skills' to them (a useful and transferable life skill) but am constrained by the need to get through the curriculum. On the other hand we need to hand down the mathematics developed over thousands of years to each generation. I am also persuaded that acquiring knowledge for its own sake can develop a more rounded individual more capable of understanding the complexity of the life around them.
What do people think the purpose of education should be?
08 Jul 07
Originally posted by mancityboyI actually debate an Engrish lesson on this with advanced level language students. Education vs. Indoctornation. As far as I can see the difference, education is where you teach people the truth, the facts, and how to logically get from point a to point b. Of course, your government using (hopefully) good scientific, historical, etc, advice comes to define what this is. But not all governments idea of what they want the populous to know. There are some so indoctornated with, for example, the view that communism is "evil" that they'll never let it go.
What is the purpose of education? Some responses to my thread about the (alleged) Geographical illiteracy of the average American suggest that some believe it is purely a means to make more money. The intrinsic value of it doesn't seem to to come into it. As a Maths (Not Math!) teacher I am constantly asked what the point of it is - or "When will we ever ...[text shortened]... ity of the life around them.
What do people think the purpose of education should be?
Japanese schools are increasingly starting to teach about the atrocities committed during WW2, NZ schools beginning to teach more about the Treaty of Waitangi (at least in a less biased way), although there is still a lot of institutionalised bias. For example, Germany, during WW1 (at least) only did 2 things wrong, they came to the "colonisation" party late, and they lost. It's not like the British hadn't been colonising countries for the previous 2 centuries! Still, the British Empire was "good" and the German grab for territory "bad".
Education is a multifaceted thing, but I think it must be about exploration of topics and subjects for children, to find what they are passionate about, so that in later life at least some will specialise and become the true repositories for human knowledge - after all the general public are not good at that - how many people who didn't go on to study advanced maths can now go do trigonometry without taking another class in it?
08 Jul 07
Originally posted by mancityboyits a way to train the populace into being inferior
What is the purpose of education? Some responses to my thread about the (alleged) Geographical illiteracy of the average American suggest that some believe it is purely a means to make more money. The intrinsic value of it doesn't seem to to come into it. As a Maths (Not Math!) teacher I am constantly asked what the point of it is - or "When will we ever ...[text shortened]... ity of the life around them.
What do people think the purpose of education should be?
08 Jul 07
1 edit
Originally posted by mancityboyInteresting, Whilst I appreciate your desire to teach more problem solving (like Polya's 'How to Solve It'😉 I am very glad I was mada to get to grips with basic Maths (I agree!) in my schooldays since I much later found that an elementary knowledge of the calculus and linear algebra in particular gave me a head start when I had to learn statistical theory in order to progress in my job.
What is the purpose of education? Some responses to my thread about the (alleged) Geographical illiteracy of the average American suggest that some believe it is purely a means to make more money. The intrinsic value of it doesn't seem to to come into it. As a Maths (Not Math!) teacher I am constantly asked what the point of it is - or "When will we ever ity of the life around them.
What do people think the purpose of education should be?
08 Jul 07
Originally posted by SeitseIndeedy. It's a knock on the fact that, even at a high level, they still struggle with l/r pronunciation.
Is Engrish that Japanese mockery of English?
However, I must confess nothing but respect for most of the students, as I know how hard learning Japanese is, and English must be equally difficult for them.
08 Jul 07
Originally posted by scottishinnzTrigonometry, 'advanced maths'?
I actually debate an Engrish lesson on this with advanced level language students. Education vs. Indoctornation. As far as I can see the difference, education is where you teach people the truth, the facts, and how to logically get from point a to point b. Of course, your government using (hopefully) good scientific, historical, etc, advice comes to ...[text shortened]... study advanced maths can now go do trigonometry without taking another class in it?
08 Jul 07
Originally posted by AlcibiadesI don't think he's saying it IS advanced maths, just that those who went on to specialise in advanced maths are probably the only people who remember off the top of their head such things. Ask the next person on the street to give you the Sine rule, or what Cos represents on a right angle triangle and you'll see what he means I think.
Trigonometry, 'advanced maths'?
08 Jul 07
Originally posted by agrysonDon't make excuses for him.
I don't think he's saying it IS advanced maths, just that those who went on to specialise in advanced maths are probably the only people who remember off the top of their head such things. Ask the next person on the street to give you the Sine rule, or what Cos represents on a right angle triangle and you'll see what he means I think.
08 Jul 07
Originally posted by AlcibiadesI never said it was. But how many Joe Q Publics do you know who routinely use, say trig, or calculus in their day to day lives? I know I certainly don't. And I'm pretty sure that if I asked most of my buddies how to do anything beyond simple maths they'd have trouble.
Trigonometry, 'advanced maths'?
Always attacking the person rather than debating the issue - nothing changes, eh Narg?