Posts by 81stcolumn
Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First
-
In my movies there would always be a stray dog barking in the street.....
-
Consequences –
Speaking as one of those elitist, over-paid, curmudgeonly killers of creativity (academics) - I am going to offer the Turkey voting for Christmas line: There is no point in expanding or putting further funds into higher education as long as a culture of teach to the test/exam continues as it is or grows. Universities are beginning to fill up with students who feel they have purchased the right to be told the answers. TEC have made it pretty clear that in the long term they would like to see no more than 20% of students fail. This puts Universities in a very tough position; the easy answer given the numbers involved is to continue the “teach to the test culture” and cream off the most able for a proper (postgraduate) education. At which point this looks like and is educational inflation. The students would be better off elsewhere in society. Please be clear I am not advocating more selective HE, everyone should have the right to attend funded HE programmes at a time when it suits them. What I am saying is HE has little purpose or benefit for large numbers of students if schools are not allowed to educate students properly, which is most likely to be the case in a culture of compulsory testing tied to arbitrary standards.
Educational philosophy –
It is sad for me to see the extent to which “education” has given way to “training”. I tend to conceive of the difference in terms of goals for education in schools.
i) One could argue the goal of education is literacy, numeracy and related skills.
ii) One could argue that the goal is capability/efficacy with literacy and numeracy as a consequence.Each case has advantages and disadvantages but I am sad to see the second case lose so much ground in the modern age. Like Steven and a couple of others who posted in this thread I have a non-standard educational background. I left a privileged secondary education with what would now be regarded as poor literacy and numeracy skills. I now have substantial qualifications that speak to the fact that all I needed to do was find a reason to acquire literacy and numeracy skills. I would not exist in my current role if only case i) were enforced. What perplexes me above all is that I’m not really sure what will constitute literacy or numeracy in 50 years time and it may be a risky strategy delivering teaching on the presumption that I do.
-
D'you think Hilary's canvassing worked ?
-
I'm sorry if this sounds a little cryptic but;
How should one treat a child who has been told that their efforts are below average/standard ?
-
I was fascinated by the education ammendment. The whole document only uses education (small e) about three times. If you take out the extended soundbites and the legal/procedural detail - there remains some 60-100 words that actually detail policy on testing and standards, which as you would expect rests in the footnotes. It also occrred to me that the fines scheme by the nature of truancy puts it in conflict with the Treaty. As the document points out Maori are heaviliy represented in truancy statistics. The same group that enjoys lower health, wage and educational expectations and you're going to fine them heavily for the actions of their children. Ah I've got it punitive legislation that punishes Maori - haven't we been here before ?
-
Bugger that came out wrong....it's a conspiracy !When scripting doesn't work in your browser the defailt is to post....
-
The current incoming government is suggesting far reaching changes in educational accountability and more testing in schools at a time when other nations are actually seeking to reduce testing in schools.
I would love to see some incisive journalism on that one, but I suppose that’s boring too ?
-
Or better, if you can combine it all into one sensational story: "Britney murdered over drunk kitten escapade!"
Oh I'm sure Ian W**hart is linking together a conspiracy as we speak !
-
RE: NZHerald
It's a Tory paper, like the UK Sun and Daily Telegraph. Only thing is, the poms have a choice of buying the Guardian or Mirror. We don't. I haven't bought a paper in over a year and either get my news online or in cafes.
The London Times is also Tory but I look forward to reading that..conclusion I'm with Craig on this one the herald is for the most part s**t.
-
Not wishing to thread-jack but I couldn't help wondering what America would be like if all wrongful deaths cost $35.000.000 ?