Education .

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ching.html

What were we saying about Thailand?

Interesting article. It seems to be a widespread problem around many countries. Perhaps because education seems to have moved away from the way we learned in the past (and lack of discipline). Learning the times tables, having one on one spelling tests with the headmaster, no calculators just pencil and paper etc etc, made you really had to think and understand.

While I understand the value of learning about calculators and computers, there is no substitute for learning the old fashioned way. It's not just about knowing the times table, it's about exercising the mind and building the ability to think for oneself, strategise, theorise, develop solutions etc. If the calc's batteries run out, my nephews/nieces wouldn't have a clue how to work something out in their head or with pencil and paper.

I stated in another thread that I teach our eldest (at 7) maths which is above what she learns at school - and she loves it! Wants to learn all the time, and she has to think to get the answers and work it out for herself. It's developing her brain, not just teaching her maths.

Cheers
Phil

Philrjones wrote:Interesting article. It seems to be a widespread problem around many countries. Perhaps because education seems to have moved away from the way we learned in the past (and lack of discipline). Learning the times tables, having one on one spelling tests with the headmaster, no calculators just pencil and paper etc etc, made you really had to think and understand.

While I understand the value of learning about calculators and computers, there is no substitute for learning the old fashioned way. It's not just about knowing the times table, it's about exercising the mind and building the ability to think for oneself, strategise, theorise, develop solutions etc. If the calc's batteries run out, my nephews/nieces wouldn't have a clue how to work something out in their head or with pencil and paper.

I stated in another thread that I teach our eldest (at 7) maths which is above what she learns at school - and she loves it! Wants to learn all the time, and she has to think to get the answers and work it out for herself. It's developing her brain, not just teaching her maths.

Cheers
Phil

Co-signed.

...and the UK is doing better than the USA! I read a report recently that said US school are dropping penmanship from the curriculum. No more cursive writing because it is deemed unnecessary in the computer age. [*gasp*] I read yet another article about how texting shorthand is accepted as proper in some schools. I am atheist, but even I have to say: OMG! to that one.

Home-schooling is absolutely the way to go.