Day 22: Curriculum Vitae

I find this one redundant after Like, Totally, Dude, but in keeping with the challenge, I have a twist in mind. What do you mean you are surprised?

RedIf you read the foregoing post, you know I have plenty of formal education and an inordinate amount of non-traditional education. Both have influenced how I feel about academics in the present forum. I think there are better ways of accomplishing higher learning.

How many times have you heard Those who cannot, teach.? I have seen plenty of examples which perpetuate this adage. Were I in charge (no snickering in the back) education would be very different. Those with the most aptitude would be the ones teaching the new generations.

An inbred hatred of learning would disappear. Get your knickers out of a knot. Hatred of learning is a learned response, which makes the irony palpable. We are riddled with children who are afraid of learning.

Math

3 - 1 = 2

One of the most disturbing exchanges I have ever had was with a kindergarten teacher. She was thrilled to show me the DoE mandated “math board” in her room. More than 40% of its components were inappropriate for the learning level of her pupils. I asked her what was wrong with the board. Her answer?

I hate math. I just have to have the board. They will learn from it.”

No. If you hate it, you will not have it on the right level or explain it to your pupils in a way which they will understand. The frustration leads to a hatred of math the teacher just passed to a classroom full of pupils.

Reading

The Internet has poisoned many children against reading anything with more than three sentences in a paragraph. They are conditioned to expect white space. When they open novels of the classical and renaissance periods, they are bored at the lack of zombies and vampires.

Books

Adults argue they will not partake in recreational reading unless it is merely in their comfort zone, and then they will only attempt it if there is not a movie available to release the cognition via visuals. Looking in the classroom is the reason.

Long gone are the days of summer reading lists. Once school is out for summer, learning screeches to a halt. No more novels are required to test the imagination, problem-solving skills and recall of students. The fill in the bubble testing of the reading comprehension gives the chance to those who have learned to play the odds even when they have not understood the material.

Science

Recently, I have interviewed an half dozen young adults from 17 to 24 years old. Despite having children of their own, the six had less than rudimentary understanding of the human reproductive system and were filled with myths about STD.

Distracted driving

Only one had any idea of the science behind propulsion, even though they could all drive. While all were iPhone versed, none understood the technology of the wired telephone, calculator, computer or smoke detectors.

Most knew the water cycle, but only one had a vague notion of how potable water was made. None could name more than three recyclable materials each. There was debate about the weather patterns of their hometowns and current locations.

Space was a mystery. They could all identify a Klingon Bird of Prey and an X-wing fighter. They were 0 of 6 for air and spacecraft of the last 50 years. Less than half of them knew Pluto was no longer classed a planet. Fewer understood how there was a difference.

The group as a whole scored less than 30% on contagions, immunology, disease prevention, parasites and the level of care necessary for prescribed injuries. They argued over the proper way to perform the Heimlich and CPR on both adults and children.

So what?

This generation houses the future leaders of the world. These “adults” were not all the bottom of the class. The cross section included a salutatorian and two college graduates, which makes this study far scarier than Freddy Krueger. Equally frightening is the knowledge this is not the end of the knowledge dearth.

MoneyWith a median income of $46,000 per year, these “adults” were in mostly second level or higher jobs with higher than average performance reviews. (The youngest was in an entry level position.) All of them were carrying consumer debt and considered a credit card a necessity and a rite of passage.

None of them felt the need to be saving for college for their children (present or future). For that matter, they did not see much reason to be saving for anything else. The going logic was since they had a mortgage, they just needed to pay the bill.

Although body image was important and more than half visited a gym regularly, none were concerned with the long term effects of their diets, habits or sleep patterns. The majority believed they were statistically low risk for catastrophic illness and were unlikely to die in an MVA.

Hmm…

I realize this question should have focused on my academics. Frankly, I find my academics academic in the absence of academics for the generation who will choose and man my nursing home.


What can we do to educate those who are already out of school? Is there a way to instill better learning habits in children? Do you think giving a child/teenager a classic book can make a difference in the way they view the world?

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29 Comments

  1. My oldest daughter began kindergarten wondering why she was there when she already knew what they were teaching. The youngest even with the autism and a difficulty to communicate when in ahead of her classmates. The oldest corrects my grammar, the youngest adores math worksheets since I hate math with a passion my attempt to hide it and find ways that math is fun when I go to make sure she has the skills. The kindergarten teacher this year said that when children are having fun they are remembering.

    I have no credit cards, I don’t care for the bills. If I want something bad enough I have to come up with the money to pay for it. My oldest is a candidate for scholarships with her grades, (honors program all the way) and the baby, well I can hope she’ll be able to function at that level.

    My children adore reading, at least while there are no electronic distractions. It was strange to me to see children in the baby’s class that could not recognize letters at the start of the year while she was reading fluently.

    What was the point? I got lost somewhere. Kindergarten graduation is today!!
    Laurie recently posted..Wordless Wednesday (Almost)My Profile

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    • You children read and that is why they perform better in the classroom. SOP in the real world, which happens to disappear through the wormhole to the classroom. There is little or no reality there. How did Shorty like graduation?

      Reply
  2. None of my kids enjoy reading. They look at it as “work” and I know that our technological advances are hindering that. I think we need to go back to the basics but have no idea how to do that. We can’t turn back the hands of time….can we?
    Wendy Reid recently posted..FTP: Fork – 150 wordsMy Profile

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    • I think we can. I tried out FTP on some non-readers. They were willing because it was not a novel which would take them too long. Seeing the spark of imagination added to the heightened vocabulary was interesting to watch. Using the short attention span to parlay into bigger pieces is where the path lies out of the extended state of functional illiteracy. xxx

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  3. One of the problems with the system is it’s aimed at the average student. So a good portion of them have no idea what’s going on, and at the other end, it is too unchallenging for many others. And a student may be very advanced in one subject, while behind in another.
    Binky recently posted..Because It’s ThereMy Profile

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    • I have a hard time believing the average student principle. I believe the lack of subject matter and the focus on the testing vehicle is the core of the problem. Why do we need three days of “testing preparation” before standardized tests (read practice filling in bubbles correctly and how to “guesstimate” answers) but only one day to cover the human digestive system?

      Any clue how disturbing I find it my dictionary knows how to spell “guesstimate”?

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  4. It’s true. Electronics are taking a bite out of the fun of reading. My nine-year-old granddaughter asked me if she could borrow my calculator. My mouth dropped. The five-year-old is starting to read and is interested but she would much rather watch animated movies.

    I agree, we should go back to basics. Entry level employees want all the perks they can get and already have their eye on the corner office. Not enough perks? So sorry, the next guy handing them out and they’re willing to move on. They have no idea what real nose-to-the-grindstone is (and I AM generalizing–I hope). I shake my head. They seem to feel work is about brainstorming and then kicking back. That’s my experience anyway.
    Tess Kann recently posted..Flash in a Pan – ForkMy Profile

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    • Many of them do not. It is enough for them to know we have machines for that, but not enough to understand the concepts behind the machines. I find the whole affair disheartening as it is frightening. Little V wants a fancy abacus (and an expensive one at that!). She knows it is the concept which makes computers run and talk and play games. Teachers do not understand the machines they use. How can they possibly teach the core principles to their students? *sigh*

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  5. I think too many teachers join the profession thinking they will make a difference in ways other than teaching the subjects. They want to change the world, not teach students about reading and writing or why we fought in two world wars.

    Not that I don’t think trying to make a difference is wrong, but teach someone how to bait the hook before you show them how to drop the line in the water…

    MJ
    MJ Logan recently posted..Mother’s Day 2013My Profile

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    • Granted. Many are largely idealistic, which leads to massive 1-5 year turnover. Nothing about bubbles is going to change the world, and they have little support from administration who is consumed with statistics and football scores. My question then becomes, “Did the teachers have sufficient education to understand what the odds were against them?”

      Reply
      • In terms of education, I had a high school English teacher with a Masters in English who didn’t have a clue how to use a semicolon.

        Education doesn’t seem to be the problem. It seems to me that the people who ought to be teaching are the ones most sought after in business.

        If we want children to have the greatest learning opportunity, don’t we have that priority wrong?

        Take the idealistic bunch and throw them into the real world of sharks for a few years, then let them teach.

        MJ
        MJ Logan recently posted..Mother’s Day 2013My Profile

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        • I agree. I do not think teachers with no real world experience are as good as their diplomas decree. They are often in the situation to counsel on what can be life-changing situations. I think the shark tank would help in that case.

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  6. Hmmm… I have no kids of my own that I know of, but I looked after 42 and well remember the struggle I had to teach Andrew and Shereeen basic reading and writing skills because their mother had no interest in them and, judging from her verbal abuse, no love for her children either!

    By the time I walked away I knew they needed professional help, but I couldn’t carry on any more.

    They are adult now and struggle every day from the lack of an education and I cannot help feeling that I should have done more.

    My own education was patchy, the politicians sure knew how to meddle pointlessly with our education system, but I can read, write and do some maths although division remains a blind spot!

    Today Pat’s kids (my adopting family) have children of their own who are devastatingly intelligent, but Becky won’t push their education, preferring to leave it to the schools and neither will Emily.

    Jessica seems to be in a better position with her mum Rachel, so I have high hopes for her! 🙂

    I just wish I could help, but with all I have been put through I am no longer mentally fit to help them.

    Ironic indeed that Pat has been dropping hints about me babysitting as she’s worn out!!! 🙁

    Love and hugs!

    Prenin.

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  7. Education today reminds me of consulting firms and the military. It is a mentality of up and out without the ‘merit’ attached, although I don’t know that either of the above mentioned institutions attach ‘merit’ any longer to their ‘upward’ promotion either.

    What can we do to teach adults already out of school? I am uncertain we can do anything other than at an individual level. However, we can become involved in fixing what is broken in our public school system today.
    Valentine Logar recently posted..Flash: BuffetMy Profile

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    • I am all ears on how to morph the system. I have a great big mouth and a lot of back to put behind it. As to adults, I think you are correct… one at a time. Ironically, it is what is failing in the schools. We really need to discuss ye olde fashioned schoolhouse and why it worked. Hmm… xxx

      Reply
  8. Community colleges were designed to teach adults who need help in coping. But I imagine, like public and even private schools, there’s a huge difference in the quality of what is being taught and by whom.

    Leaving the education of children to the schools (Head Start in NC didn’t seem to accomplish much with its 5 year-olds) is (insert any negative word you can think of). Two or three generations of parents who didn’t value “book learning” because they in turn were tuned in to tv and fast cars, has wrecked the institution. Teachers who started out starry eyed about making a difference soon shut their eyes, gritted their teeth, and tried to hang in until they could cash in a 30-year retirement.

    On one of the front lines myself, I saw it all, and burned out after 12 years because too many of my students were like the boy who said, “You’re the only teacher I have who expects me to bring paper and pencil to class.” [ This was in the days before computers, when books, paper, and pencil were IT. ]

    The BEST way to teach reading is for a family member (or members!) to read to children, at a level above what the child can do itself. Education should begin at home, but this society on the whole is too far gone for that.

    Reply
    • Although I do not do the classroom, my students have all been similarly unprepared for accountability which is not filling in bubbles. I also believe the parents would have done well to be in the class themselves. I fear reading is becoming a lost art in the face of specialized training for a job is more important than a well-rounded education. No one seems to care if the nuclear physicist has enough social skills to go grocery shopping.

      Reply
  9. I think the problem is that the traditional public school curriculum really doesn’t work after so long, and that most of the teachers/instructors do not engage their students (like in the case of the kindergarten teacher). It is more of that mentality of “Here it is! Do it! Learn it!”, especially when they have an object to fall on to teach the kids rather than do the job themselves and make sure everyone is learning. There are some more things I could bitch about on this point.

    How tough could it be to teach basic math to a classroom of kindergartners? It isn’t like they are trying to teach them geometry to advanced calculus. I wonder if that kindergarten teacher would change her tune if children started learning unaccompanied from large screen devices on the wall and her job/career was phased out.

    I completely agree on the reading part. Hell! Some of the schools here don’t even bother to teach the kids how to sound out words, because for some odd reason phonics was deemed evil or unnecessary (which ever is the case). So you have a percentage that know how to spell the word, but cannot pronounce it. There are some things that it is expected of the parent to teach their kids because the instructor couldn’t be bothered to do it in class.

    As much as I love movies and shows (as if this wasn’t evident on my blog), I also love reading. Yeah a movie version of a book is nice, but I could never understand why people would skip reading one because of the reasoning that you mentioned. It has the opposite effect on me, seeing the movie makes me want to read the book even more. Or short stories in the case of some films. Some movies are just agonizing for me to watch after reading the book (i.e. Cloud Atlas).

    This has also rubbed off on to my nephew, who is a voracious reader, but has a very strong interest in science and technology (and I’m not talking about reciting the name and class of spaceships in a movie). I have seen the projects this kid has performed in and out of school and it floors me to no end. I watched him literally program a media box (I really have no other name for how to describe it) where each side of the box displayed a different type of visual pattern on each side of the box that corresponded to music on the spot at a school seminar. Mind you, he goes to a magnet school.

    Sorry for the long comment. This is something I have brought up in my podcast a few times, and it irritates me to no end. It shouldn’t take an ex-guitar instructor to be pissed off about the state of education, when it should be the one who is passionate about wanting to give students the opportunity to learn and educate.
    The Heretic recently posted..PramfaceMy Profile

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    • After the retort of “Hukt ahn fonix wurkt fer mee”, phonics was abandoned, but not replaced by root word etymology. Now, not only can children not spell, they cannot break words into prefixes, suffixes and roots to figure out what they mean. Sight reading is taught even though that mode was abandoned more than 100 years ago. There is no correlation between reading (pronouncing) the written word and its meaning.

      My big problem with the teacher (other than her stupidity) was the board was inappropriate for kindergartners. Most of her pupils were encountering numbers for the first time. Inappropriate were degrees on the blank thermometer (non-dry erase so it could not be filled in), a number chart with negative numbers on it (which completely explained why my child spontaneously stopped counting about 109- its highest number) and a multiplication table. When I explained to her she was confusing those who knew too little and stifling those who knew more, she repeated she just had to have the board. All of could picture was kindergartners in front of a computer screen in a correspondence course. Perhaps, it would have been a better solution.

      No apologies for long responses around here. You know that. 😉

      Reply
  10. For starters, currently our society is not set up for learning, such that learned things lead to gainful employment and rewarding areas of expertise or exploration for the newly “taught”. What impetus is there for the student to perceive their education a stepping stone to a rewarding, fulfilling, challenging future, if there is no connection between what is provided as “education” and what is available for “work” for the “taught” student.
    How many curricula truly prepare students for a reality based future? At some point in the life of a student he/she (and how to empower this may be the question of our age), would ideally have made choices based on reality AND personal passions, challenging yet exciting paths. Choices that will successfully provide a skill or skill set that is truly a rewarding/joyful option for that person, truly a gainful activity for society. Such that education is the thread that helps the student/adult grow into a truly productive member of society. One who is passionate about his/her role in life and inspires the same passion for the youths in his/her life. To keep the cycle fueled.
    The entire structure, purpose and delivery of education needs an entire redo, based on who is truly responsible for educating and inspiring from early days of childhood to as long as person is impassioned to learn (like everyone, perhaps?) Just like we have a GP who ideally is the coordinator off our health care, keeping an eye on the big picture, the GP makes sure all records are complete and correct, knows what specialists are needed when, where, how and why. The head coach, if you will.
    But none of this will work unless there is a truly realistic plan from start to finish of options and choices for the GP and the child/student/adult to start a plan of action. This, of course must be open and flexible, since obviously, rare is the child who can honestly make such an important, lifelong decision for themselves and their paths to take.
    Every child/learner deserves any and everyone who can participate in their education. As do they deserve the expertise, knowledge and passion to be encouraged, nurtured and made healthy, so they too, can take an active role in their “educational development”. So no one can take a pass, feels “it’s not their responsibility” to help each child/student/adult make the best they can of themselves. Every single person deserves to be surrounded by teachers, counselors, mentors and knowledge givers who are passionate, willing and able to provide the education we all are entitled to.
    Certainly a subject that needs to see important conceptual and structural changes in order for it to be successful.
    Thanks for the opportunity to spout off and for asking the questions that need to be asked!
    hugs galore…

    🙂
    BuddhaKat recently posted..Fractal Euphoria…My Profile

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    • We are going to have to discuss this in smaller portions. One thing which strikes me is although there is no reality-driven curricula at a public consumption level, in its place there are specialty training courses which are so pigeonholed they teach nothing beyond the mere mechanics of any occupation. The learning is not integrated. I have spent the better part of the last 20 years showing children of all ages how math and science infuse everything they touch and enjoy. I just find the whole affair sad.

      Yes, EVERY single one is responsible for teaching. Regardless of the education level we may have, we all have something we can take someone under our wing and teach.

      And I appreciate the spouting off… always will. xxx

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