Exactly.
As to maths, tell me, how did my maths teacher, and those of his generation learn Calculas? Why did he, with 30 years of teaching experience, think that calculators were bad, were introducing dumb students?
Why is it that most kids cannot add up, even basic maths? If they don't have a calculator, or a PC, they're lost. I find it amusing that even those doing accounts style roles are lost with a calculator! Even for basic Maths. I'm no genius, but I'm fully capable of basic Maths in my head, on the fly. Do they even teach long division in primary school these days? We now have MIS (Maths in society, aka dummies math), at least in the HSC in NSW. It might have changed names in the 20+ years since I left school. Giving high school students the option of opting out of normal maths curriculums, and chilling out doing basic dummy maths (which they should have been able to do by the time they leave primary school I might add) is not smart. Make them use their brains, it's the *only* way to learn.
Similarly, EMail and Internet is creating kids who are unable to converse with others in face to face situations, with poor interpersonal skills.
Some may have misunderstood my intentions here - technology is great, but for crying out loud, make sure the kids can do it the old fashioned way before you allow them to use technology and take short cuts!
Dave
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJDD
Isn't there a course for visual communication in schools? it is there that students could critically review a movie/dvd/etc.
We have a 19-year old working for us and he did not study any novels just the movie adaptations. I still cannot believe that! Of course, his spelling, use of grammar, writing skills, etc. are terrible. I find that I am teaching him how to write simple letters/emails. Shoul that not be done at school/home?
My wife did not study English in Years 11 and 12 but read voraciously and has a wider vocabulary, is wider read, and speaks/writes/understands English much better than most. And English was not spoken at home.
I submit, based upon the above, that studying a DVD is not the same as studying novels, etc., and that reading instead of watching movies is the best way to improve the use of English by students.
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