[ccga3359]

I'm pretty good at all three of those things, math and science.

[Zipperfish]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

Seen a similar situation with poker.

[Zipperfish]

Lemmy Lemmy:

I see this problem online all the time.

People can't comprehend the mathematics of probability and statistics. They deny climate change despite the overwhelming scientific evidence. They're afraid of getting a perfectly safe inoculation but they're not afraid of astronomically more dangerous behaviours, like smoking cigarettes. They're afraid of being killed by a terrorist but not afraid of the gun in the house that is thousands of times more likely to cause them harm.

What we need to be teaching is remedial statistics.

As I've said before, the problem isn't that there are stupid people. The problem is hat the stupid people don't know they're stupid. If you're very, very stupid how could you possibly realize that you're very, very stupid.

[BartSimpson]

Zipperfish Zipperfish:

As I've said before, the problem isn't that there are stupid people. The problem is hat the stupid people don't know they're stupid. If you're very, very stupid how could you possibly realize that you're very, very stupid.

This problem is exacerbated when the stupid people have been validated by other stupid people who grant them graduate degrees.

[Zipperfish]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

This problem is exacerbated when the stupid people have been validated by other stupid people who grant them graduate degrees.

But seeing as you are not a scientist, you aren't really in a position to know. If I stuck a bunch of equations in front of you, chances are you wouldn't know if they were true or false. So you lack the competence to make that assessment.

[BartSimpson]

Zipperfish Zipperfish:

But seeing as you are not a scientist, you aren't really in a position to know. If I stuck a bunch of equations in front of you, chances are you wouldn't know if they were true or false. So you lack the competence to make that assessment.

What degrees or certifications makes one a 'scientist'?

What profession makes one a 'scientist'?

I am a computer scientist and I have the degree from Northwestern to prove it. I also have the job that goes with it. And I'm good at it which is why I spend most of my day monitoring and very little of my day fixing anything.

And perhaps some of your equations would be unknown to me but I've used trajectory formulas and load formulas for years.

Give me a GPS coordinate and I can calculate what it will take to accurately ruin your day.

And then I can ruin your day because unlike many scientists I've been known to put theory into practice.

[herbie]

God told us yo go forth and multiply. He didn't say anything about dividing or decimals, that's too fucking hard.

[Freakinoldguy]

fifeboy fifeboy:

Lemmy Lemmy:

I see this problem online all the time.

People can't comprehend the mathematics of probability and statistics. They deny climate change despite the overwhelming scientific evidence. They're afraid of getting a perfectly safe inoculation but they're not afraid of astronomically more dangerous behaviours, like smoking cigarettes. They're afraid of being killed by a terrorist but not afraid of the gun in the house that is thousands of times more likely to cause them harm.

What we need to be teaching is remedial statistics.

Well, as a former teacher I say what is needed is adherence to the curricula. If they can't do grade 3 work, don't pass 'em to grade 4. If they can get through grade 12 and actually know grade 12 material they will do ok.

And we have a winner.



Maybe we could also apply that theory for basic reading and writing skills because they seem to have gone by the wayside same as math and science.

But this whole scenario is actually unlikely to happen because, by making a child learn and work for what he gets we might hurt someone's self esteem which is pretty much forbidden in today's PC world.

[garryb]

We can talk about things like the grade curve and success/failure rate. However. standardized tests are what determines a student's progress, and also the teacher's ability. when I went to grade school (in the dark ages) a failing student was part of normal school year. People have to understand that 50% of the population is of below normal intelligence.Read THE BELL CURVE. Standardized tests are the only available tool that school boards and the Dept. of Education have to rate the teacher's ability. Of course the teachers hate the tests, they are being graded too, it is a way of improving the quality of teaching. There are far too many people in this world who have risen to their level of incompetency. my vision of the future is not optimistic.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

Lemmy Lemmy:

fifeboy fifeboy:

Well, as a former teacher I say what is needed is adherence to the curricula. If they can't do grade 3 work, don't pass 'em to grade 4. If they can get through grade 12 and actually know grade 12 material they will do ok.

I agree, but it's not teachers' faults, it's the government's fault. The way school funding works now, schools have to pass kids to preserve jobs. Principals straight out tell teachers "if you fail kids, you're going to cost the school teachers".

And there it is in a nutshell. It's not about the kids, and it hasn't been for a long time now. It's about the paycheque.

Funny how teachers never go on strike because of that though, and yet their strike actions are always "for the best interests of their students".

[fifeboy]

PublicAnimalNo9 PublicAnimalNo9:

Lemmy Lemmy:

fifeboy fifeboy:

Well, as a former teacher I say what is needed is adherence to the curricula. If they can't do grade 3 work, don't pass 'em to grade 4. If they can get through grade 12 and actually know grade 12 material they will do ok.

I agree, but it's not teachers' faults, it's the government's fault. The way school funding works now, schools have to pass kids to preserve jobs. Principals straight out tell teachers "if you fail kids, you're going to cost the school teachers".

And there it is in a nutshell. It's not about the kids, and it hasn't been for a long time now. It's about the paycheque.

Funny how teachers never go on strike because of that though, and yet their strike actions are always "for the best interests of their students".

So, you blame teachers because they do what they are told to do. Cool! Just be sure you don't blame parents!

[andyt]

garryb garryb:

People have to understand that 50% of the population is of below normal intelligence.Read THE BELL CURVE.

you must be one of those 50%

[PublicAnimalNo9]

fifeboy fifeboy:

PublicAnimalNo9 PublicAnimalNo9:

Lemmy Lemmy:

I agree, but it's not teachers' faults, it's the government's fault. The way school funding works now, schools have to pass kids to preserve jobs. Principals straight out tell teachers "if you fail kids, you're going to cost the school teachers".

And there it is in a nutshell. It's not about the kids, and it hasn't been for a long time now. It's about the paycheque.

Funny how teachers never go on strike because of that though, and yet their strike actions are always "for the best interests of their students".

So, you blame teachers because they do what they are told to do. Cool! Just be sure you don't blame parents!

Pointing out hypocrisy isn't taking sides.

[fifeboy]

PublicAnimalNo9 PublicAnimalNo9:

fifeboy fifeboy:

Pointing out hypocrisy isn't taking sides.

Teachers pass on students who do not meet curriculum guidelines because they are ordered to by the administration to do so. The principal is under orders from the Director of Education and School Board. School Boards are elected. Teachers can only comment to the Principal that some action is "against my advice." I have personally had marks changed (always upward) in the office. But go ahead, blame that teacher Easier target than parents who are demanding that little Johnny be passed or get a higher mark. I think the class teachers took at teachers college called "water off a ducks back 101" helps them get through the day.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

fifeboy fifeboy:

PublicAnimalNo9 PublicAnimalNo9:

fifeboy fifeboy:

Pointing out hypocrisy isn't taking sides.

Teachers pass on students who do not meet curriculum guidelines because they are ordered to by the administration to do so. The principal is under orders from the Director of Education and School Board. School Boards are elected. Teachers can only comment to the Principal that some action is "against my advice." I have personally had marks changed (always upward) in the office. But go ahead, blame that teacher Easier target than parents who are demanding that little Johnny be passed or get a higher mark. I think the class teachers took at teachers college called "water off a ducks back 101" helps them get through the day.

The parents can demand all they want. If little Johnny doesn't deserve to pass, he doesn't deserve to pass, period! If teachers supposedly have such a goddam problem with it, then why don't they go on strike over it as opposed to the usual strikes for more pay or to make their job easier.

Teachers want more money? They go on strike and pretend they're doing it for the kids.
Teachers want smaller class sizes? They go on strike and pretend they're doing it for the kids.
Teachers aren't allowed to fail students who deserve to fail? Well that's not worthy of a strike, even though they're supposedly in it for the kids.