A discussion about the state of education in the world and complaining about the problems with education.

Making a separate topic forking off the discussion started in 'The Linux desktop is in trouble' thread to avoid going off topic in that thread.

Starting with my reply to this comment by @dbarron.

Digressing, but...imo education has actually gone far downhill in my area than what it was when I grew up (40 years or so ago). The darn 'No kid left behind' is absurd. You drag smart kids down and make them bored. They are the hopes of the future (or you would think). Of course, the fact that teachers make less than workers at McDonalds...is rather worrisome too. Oh, and I'm in the US, which is sadly less than it once was (or maybe I'm just more aware now).

dbarron The 'No kid left behind' mantra is a great ideal, but badly executed by a lot of schools because they simply don't have the resources to support all of their students.

It only really works if you have enough teachers and enough resources to support very small class sizes, and the right curriculum to support all of the diversity within classrooms.

    Hee, I suggest grading students via aptitude and interest. So, those that might be left-behind are in an appropriate environment. The same being true for those trying to shine and capable of it.

    American education? Global education? Scandinavian education? K-8 education? Middle school education? High school education? A bachelors education? Graduate education? Doctorate education? Trade school education? Preschool education?
    All education? The whole world? What does "state of education" mean?

    Brent, rather like 'current state of affairs'

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    • Post #6

    Hardly education
    It was somewhere in between

    I still rest on the contention that education is really self-education, you get out of it what you put into it, and most of that is by individual effort/research/interest, etc. The formal process isn't quite useless, but it doesn't really lend too much other than opening the eyes of children (imo) to possibilities for THEM to learn about on their own.
    Oh, and I speak from the perspective of one of those that have advanced degrees. However, I feel that my master's degree coursework (well see above sentence for what I think) (lol).

      dbarron I (barely) make my money in this industry, so when I responded to you about what the problems were, I filled gedit with 3 pages. But on a global forum I'll bite my tongue. As far as USA HS and college. This is the worst generation of students I've ever seen because they've had the worst parents I've seen. It's a customer model now, not a learning model. The crony few run this corrupt machine from the rotten head down, and the majority who keep a college or HS running with brilliant work and deeds work 5 days a week and are called "part-time" with no medical or dental or pension. No good guys, no bad guys. Just a typical American workplace.
      PS--you get out what you put into it is an absolute truth. My BA and MA were a value and the best times of my mind and creativity. (Yes, this is the short response...)

        While I'm slightly interested in this topic I will be monitoring it to ensure it doesn't get out of hand, some topics can be very polarising especially as it's a global issue. If we can please keep it civil that would be great, thanks. 🙂

        I don't plan to get uncivil. I may be whining a bit, but I think I'm whining in a civilly acceptable manner. I'm glad you're interested too Justin. We got here (if you didn't follow) because we started talking about the needs of the mass of users, and their relative education/sophistication/desire to put in effort to learn something.

          dbarron I saw my response as completely balanced with blame to go around everywhere, no finger pointed at a single entity. Hyperbole is a harmless lost art and literary device that has no malice and serves to facilitate thought and dialogue. I must be doing it wrong these days though I do admit one walks the razors edge with that style in the new era...
          It is a great topic.
          And yes, as always, the dude abides.

            I don't think anyone has gone overboard. I agree it's a problem and i hope some countries do it better than we do. I only know about the US. I'd love to hear folks opinion from other countries.
            I can't imagine being angered if someone tells me I'm wrong and US education is great (I may laugh). Or if they agree with me, that certainly won't anger me either 😉

            All good, just popping a comment in to let people know 🙂