Survey regarding school and computers

[Wkw]

Do you think schools should stop teaching traditional subjects, suck as higher level math and english, and shift more to mainstream knowledge about technology? Because, as many of you in American schools knwo that over the past 10 years, most schools only give you one class to teach you how to write cursive, and after that, even writing in it is optional. Should they start to expand their tech department to get people ready for what is already considered the future?

There is no need to know how to do a quadratic equation in your head if you have a cell phone can do that and find pi to the 500th digit.

 

Click the text to take a survey, I need it for a school project :)

[PoorLepRecon]

http://forum.tip.it/topic/11294-advertise-your-thing-here-all-posted-elsewhere-removed/

 

Post it there.

 

 

 

EDIT: Re-opened so that the first post can be edited and changed.

[Wkw]

Thank you. Click the text, I need 100 people to take a survey so I have statics for a school project.

[Giordano]

Other than the survey, this thread could be used to discuss the educational system.

 

The school system of the United States and specifically the Californian one, sucks. This general education you take in college is completely unnecessary and I would condone at least 6 months of it, not 3 years (Usually 2, but thanks to our great state budget...).

 

And it always amused me that in math we absolutely never used a calculator, and I'm sure a good majority of TIF knows how complex a graphing calculator can become. Why stick to traditional methods when in our job they're going to hand us a bloody calculator? Or what if your job isn't even math-related?! Advance math is absolutely useless to me as an individual. I'm not going ever to use a quadratic formula for something...come to think of it I don't even know what the [bleep] a quadratic formula is used for...

If you're planning to become an engineer, physician, or mathematician, that's great. But I sure as hell won't need anything higher than Geometry.

[Wisp]

Heh, I was doing the quardratic formula stuff last year. Not too hard once you remember it. -b (square root: b^2+4ac) Over 2a, or something. Hard to type. I took the survey, some questions I wasn't totally sure on, but I answered anyway.

[Nenga]

I took the survey. May I ask what you're using it for?

[Dizzle229]

I agreed with getting rid of old things for more relevant topics.

 

Am I the only one that thinks all math after 5th grade is completely useless? I mean, the only math you need to know is basic math. 2+2=4. 4x3=12. That stuff. As long as you possess finger and these basic skills, you can use a calculator to figure out anything else. What they need is a class on how to use graphing calculators.

[Giordano]

I wouldn't say 5th grade math...I was taught graphing in 6th and 7th grade, and that's pretty important. I would stop at HS Algerbra, when the introduction of the graph stops and it becomes a big number game. Learn the method, practice it with a calculator.

[Lionheart_0]

If you're going into a subject where there is 0% chance of using math (Social sciences will still require you to do statistical math), sure try and opt out of those. Other then that, up to about grade 11 is pretty necessary and should be done. Math helps to activate the brain, and should be done all throughout school to help students learn and keep an active/healthy brain.

 

As well, communication type courses are very necessary, right up to college. How many of us can speak and more importantly write 100% correctly? As I am learning in my communications class right now, to be professional, it is best to know how to communicate properly.

 

It is good to give students a generalized education prior to them leaving high school, as without it they will do nothing more then take all the easy courses to simply get through it. I can't honestly see there being a class on how to use cell phones and mp3's, ect. At the rate that technology is moving, kids are gonna know half this stuff by the time they leave elementary school because of their parents.

 

Classes on computer engineering and programming are different story though.

 

And for the calculator comments: remember that we might not always have technology, so it is best not to become dependent.

[Wisp]

I think High School should be more general, and then College more specific, especially after the first year. Math, if nothing else, is a good mental exercise. I doubt I'll ever need to figure out the X intercept in a quadratic equation in real life, but whatever. It's not too hard.

[Dizzle229]

And for the calculator comments: remember that we might not always have technology, so it is best not to become dependent.

 

Buddy...

 

*exhales cigarrete smoke*

 

...we already are dependent.

[Giordano]

I think High School should be more general, and then College more specific, especially after the first year. Math, if nothing else, is a good mental exercise. I doubt I'll ever need to figure out the X intercept in a quadratic equation in real life, but whatever. It's not too hard.

I know huh? If you did general courses for 4 years you would think they'll skip that crap in college. <_< Though, they also say playing musical instruments/"art" stimulates the mind as well.

 

I can't honestly see there being a class on how to use cell phones and mp3's, ect. At the rate that technology is moving, kids are gonna know half this stuff by the time they leave elementary school because of their parents.

I thought that was a stupid question too; they should have not a class on learning the technology, but learning through using the technology.

 

 

And for the calculator comments: remember that we might not always have technology, so it is best not to become dependent.

Touché.

 

I still think its a tad ridiculous though.

[warren211]

the current curriculum is fine as it is, we can't just keep updating the education system just because technology does too. I've already heard of kinterdarten and first grade classes who were required to bring calculators to school. excuse me? calculators? what on earth is a child that age going to need a calculator for? They'll never learn the concepts behind mathematics which is exactly what is needed to move on to higher levels of math, all they're going to know is that pushing a certain button produces a certain number If you ask me, calculator use should not be implemented into mathematics education at all until algebra, as it already is in most places. Especially in honors level classes where the calculator doesn't prevent the learning of new concepts but rather just speeds up concepts well known already, such as how to multiply. But for quadratic equations and things? no, you should be tought the mechanics of it before you even touch the calculator. The calculator should be used only AFTER the concepts are well-understood, and so it only saves time during calculations rather than prevents you from understanding how math works.

[Wisp]

the current curriculum is fine as it is, we can't just keep updating the education system just because technology does too. I've already heard of kinterdarten and first grade classes who were required to bring calculators to school. excuse me? calculators? what on earth is a child that age going to need a calculator for? They'll never learn the concepts behind mathematics which is exactly what is needed to move on to higher levels of math, all they're going to know is that pushing a certain button produces a certain number If you ask me, calculator use should not be implemented into mathematics education at all until algebra, as it already is in most places. Especially in honors level classes where the calculator doesn't prevent the learning of new concepts but rather just speeds up concepts well known already, such as how to multiply. But for quadratic equations and things? no, you should be tought the mechanics of it before you even touch the calculator. The calculator should be used only AFTER the concepts are well-understood, and so it only saves time during calculations rather than prevents you from understanding how math works.

Well, we were taught the mechanics of quadratic equations. There are like 4 ways to do it, including the formula,and 3 don't need a calculator usually, but unless you have a problem with all whole numbers and perfect squares the forumula pretty much requires a calculator.

[fastortoise]

Calculators and computers don't belong in schools, that is my strong belief.

[Giordano]

@Warren:

Oh of course. I was saying use the calculators in high school math when they'll only speed you up. But some teachers are so conservative they don't want to give in to technology. -.-

[Wisp]

Calculators and computers don't belong in schools, that is my strong belief.

I strongly disagree. While they shouldn't be used for anything that doesn't require one, calculators do allow advanced mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc. Computers on the other hand make writing a hell of a lot easier. It's not like people lose the ability to write things out by hand though, but most are just faster on computers.

[fastortoise]

Calculators and computers don't belong in schools, that is my strong belief.

I strongly disagree. While they shouldn't be used for anything that doesn't require one, calculators do allow advanced mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc. Computers on the other hand make writing a hell of a lot easier. It's not like people lose the ability to write things out by hand though, but most are just faster on computers.

Actually, calculators are banned from all advanced math classes if that hints at anything (I think it does). Calculators are only needed for businesses, where employees have to churn out data they already know how to process. It just makes things go faster, it doesn't promote learning at all. You can't teach a kid how to find a square root if the kid knows the calculator will just do it for him. Do any of you know how to find a square root without using a [bleep]ing calculator? Most of you think it's impossible, and this is the freaking 21st century.

[Riku3220]

I think that schools should be teaching the things necessary for the job a person wants. For example, elementary school can be learning English and math skills, scientific method, etc., middle school would be learning about different career paths and what job would be right for you, and high school would be taking classes to meet the needs of the job that the person picked.

 

Most of the stuff I learned in elementary school was crap (Seriously, going over Abe Lincoln and how he "saved" the slaves for 6 years straight?) and could've been used improving grammar, spelling, or math skills. Hell, if we didn't have those history and science classes I could've probably been doing long division by the end of the second grade.

 

Actually, calculators are banned from all advanced math classes if that hints at anything (I think it does). Calculators are only needed for businesses, where employees have to churn out data they already know how to process. It just makes things go faster, it doesn't promote learning at all. You can't teach a kid how to find a square root if the kid knows the calculator will just do it for him. Do any of you know how to find a square root without using a [bleep]ing calculator? Most of you think it's impossible, and this is the freaking 21st century.

Banned from all advanced math classes? In Pre-AP Pre-Calculus you'd do extremely poorly without a graphing calculator.

[PoorLepRecon]

I think that schools should be teaching the things necessary for the job a person wants. For example, elementary school can be learning English and math skills, scientific method, etc., middle school would be learning about different career paths and what job would be right for you, and high school would be taking classes to meet the needs of the job that the person picked.

Most of the stuff I learned in elementary school was crap (Seriously, going over Abe Lincoln and how he "saved" the slaves for 6 years straight?) and could've been used improving grammar, spelling, or math skills. Hell, if we didn't have those history and science classes I could've probably been doing long division by the end of the second grade.

 

 

If you take classes in high school for your career, then are you suggesting to get rid of college altogether? Or would college be even more speciallized in the field you wish to enter? The system right now works fine. You learn the basics up through middle school and then in high school you are allowed more freedom in what you study. High school is where you have a good understanding of where you want your life to be headed. Middle school is way too early to be deciding your future. Plus, you have to allow kids to enjoy themselves. If you are focusing on job related studies at the age of 13-14, you won't have much time to do what you want.

 

Sure, some educational systems may be flawed. But history and science are far from irrelevant. Understanding how we came to be here and how the world works are very important to being a well educated person. It's not always about reading, writing, and arithmatic.

[Nadril]

Math is less about learning the quadratic formula and more about learning how to think in a calculative manner. Just because it doesn't directly effect you doesn't mean that it doesn't benefit you at all.

[Riku3220]

I think that schools should be teaching the things necessary for the job a person wants. For example, elementary school can be learning English and math skills, scientific method, etc., middle school would be learning about different career paths and what job would be right for you, and high school would be taking classes to meet the needs of the job that the person picked.

Most of the stuff I learned in elementary school was crap (Seriously, going over Abe Lincoln and how he "saved" the slaves for 6 years straight?) and could've been used improving grammar, spelling, or math skills. Hell, if we didn't have those history and science classes I could've probably been doing long division by the end of the second grade.

 

 

If you take classes in high school for your career, then are you suggesting to get rid of college altogether? Or would college be even more speciallized in the field you wish to enter? The system right now works fine. You learn the basics up through middle school and then in high school you are allowed more freedom in what you study. High school is where you have a good understanding of where you want your life to be headed. Middle school is way too early to be deciding your future. Plus, you have to allow kids to enjoy themselves. If you are focusing on job related studies at the age of 13-14, you won't have much time to do what you want.

 

Sure, some educational systems may be flawed. But history and science are far from irrelevant. Understanding how we came to be here and how the world works are very important to being a well educated person. It's not always about reading, writing, and arithmatic.

I'm not suggesting we get rid of college, just let high school cater to what we want to be. For example, I want to be a marine biologist. What do I need world history for? Why do I need to analyze a poem in English? Shouldn't I be taking Biology and aquaculture classes?

 

And I know knowledge of history and science is good but they don't teach anything. The time I spent reading about Abraham Lincoln being born in a log cabin for the third time could've been spent reading about what he actually acomplished or any other president other than the 1st, 16th, and current.

[deathdrow]

For the school system to do what you want riku, there would need to be a hell of a lot more funding, which a lot of school's don't have.

[Riku3220]

For the school system to do what you want riku, there would need to be a hell of a lot more funding, which a lot of school's don't have.

My school just built a huge football stadium and is currently building a new building for the students. The district built a 2-story elementary school not to far as well. [cabbage] we don't have enough funding.

[PoorLepRecon]

I've had good fortune with my high school. I've been enrolled in engineering classes since my sophomore year. I do agree that high schools need a lot more selection of specialized classes though. The selection at my school is somewhat broad, but there are still tons of classes that don't interest me. Heck, I've had to put classes like Psychology in my schedule because I couldn't find anything better to enroll in. But high schools also have to worry about money, so they will never begin classes that will see low enrollment. Also, high schools have state requirements to meet and most colleges require students take a certain number of classes in each subject to apply.

 

 

 

Sports take too much dominance in our school lives.