Crosswords1 min ago
clever children
74 Answers
Are children of today more clever than their parents or grandparents were. We always hear in the papers about more going to University, or more children getting higher grades at GCSE and more A levels etc etc.
Then we hear they cannot spell as accurately as children could years ago. But is correct spelling and grammer really that important ?
With the use of the internet, travel around the globe, mobile phones, text messaging, and the fantastic documentaries and wild life programmes on the television (we never had a TV when I was young). I would have thought children today were much more advanced than children when I was young (I am 60).
As an example, when I learned my tables, I learned them by rote, I knew them off by heart (and still do) but it was many years before I knew what they actually meant. The teacher taught us to do a sum, and we copied it, there was only one way to do it and that was the way we had been shown. If you thought outside the box - you would be in trouble.
But today children are taught so many different way of approaching every task, they are taught to question everything and to think for themselves, and to have confidence in their own ability.
Gone are the days when children were seen and not heard.
Then we hear they cannot spell as accurately as children could years ago. But is correct spelling and grammer really that important ?
With the use of the internet, travel around the globe, mobile phones, text messaging, and the fantastic documentaries and wild life programmes on the television (we never had a TV when I was young). I would have thought children today were much more advanced than children when I was young (I am 60).
As an example, when I learned my tables, I learned them by rote, I knew them off by heart (and still do) but it was many years before I knew what they actually meant. The teacher taught us to do a sum, and we copied it, there was only one way to do it and that was the way we had been shown. If you thought outside the box - you would be in trouble.
But today children are taught so many different way of approaching every task, they are taught to question everything and to think for themselves, and to have confidence in their own ability.
Gone are the days when children were seen and not heard.
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Factor 30, you just said "some" students, in past posts you said "most" students, its the "most" I disagreed with.
I also think it is the level at which the children are studying maths too, both mine did A level maths and did not have any problems at all, so again its the "most" I did not agree with. When they choose to study maths at a higher level then this is when they apply problem solving.
Prof Brian Cox only got a B at A level maths., but I think he's moved on a bit since!
Give the young a chance!
I also think it is the level at which the children are studying maths too, both mine did A level maths and did not have any problems at all, so again its the "most" I did not agree with. When they choose to study maths at a higher level then this is when they apply problem solving.
Prof Brian Cox only got a B at A level maths., but I think he's moved on a bit since!
Give the young a chance!
I assume, chaffinch, that you are standing by your rude statements about me (" glad my children did'nt [sic] go to your school") and teachers generally ("Those who can do, those who can't teach!")
I think you may also find that many of us on here who are or have been teachers have also had successful careers in other industries too.
I think you may also find that many of us on here who are or have been teachers have also had successful careers in other industries too.
Factor 30, yes I am sticking by my statements, just as you have stuck by your
"most children", statement.
I still say give kids the benifit of the doubt, do not dumb them down and your self up. My kids are more cleaver than me, and hopefully their kids will be more cleaver than they are, and this will hopefully perpetuate.
"most children", statement.
I still say give kids the benifit of the doubt, do not dumb them down and your self up. My kids are more cleaver than me, and hopefully their kids will be more cleaver than they are, and this will hopefully perpetuate.
Mr Old Geezer - my comments on children "being seen and not heard", is just a comment that I remember from my youth when it was used quite a lot. In school we sat in silence (supposedly) listening to the teacher and watching the blackboard.
Most schools are not like this at all nowadays - its alive with activity and group work. It was just a comment that times have changed - I think for the better.
As for the old films Prudie - many old films are very patronizing - I dont think the public would put up with that nowadays.
Most schools are not like this at all nowadays - its alive with activity and group work. It was just a comment that times have changed - I think for the better.
As for the old films Prudie - many old films are very patronizing - I dont think the public would put up with that nowadays.
In my opinion, nothing much has changed over a period of half a century.
50 years ago there were basically 3 categories:
1) those that took A-levels and went to University (about 8%)
2) those that didn't reach University entrance standards.
3) those that didn't reach Grammar school standards.
Group 1) went on to become your lawyers,doctors,professional people.
Group 2) went on to become teachers or continued further studies.
Group 2) became the labourers and the unemployed.
What has changed today? very little. Group 1) are still there but less recognized and appreciated Group 2) are know "University graduates" many with useless degrees and Group3) are still the same.
Nothing has changed except the labels and the intelligence factor remains the same.
What has changed?......the attitude of some of the children....they see education as a right and not a privilege. The important feature of education is opportunity.....seize it and you will do well, ignore it and you would have struggled 50 years ago, but today there are so many "get out of jail" schemes that many opportunities go begging.
Cleverness remains the same, but attitudes have changed.
50 years ago there were basically 3 categories:
1) those that took A-levels and went to University (about 8%)
2) those that didn't reach University entrance standards.
3) those that didn't reach Grammar school standards.
Group 1) went on to become your lawyers,doctors,professional people.
Group 2) went on to become teachers or continued further studies.
Group 2) became the labourers and the unemployed.
What has changed today? very little. Group 1) are still there but less recognized and appreciated Group 2) are know "University graduates" many with useless degrees and Group3) are still the same.
Nothing has changed except the labels and the intelligence factor remains the same.
What has changed?......the attitude of some of the children....they see education as a right and not a privilege. The important feature of education is opportunity.....seize it and you will do well, ignore it and you would have struggled 50 years ago, but today there are so many "get out of jail" schemes that many opportunities go begging.
Cleverness remains the same, but attitudes have changed.
A straight answer NO
but they might seem it to us as they are much more gadget minded ,I remember when we all used to watch someone using the telephone but they are not more clever as that is related to something that we are all born with, our intelligence or IQ
No intention of being nasty but if you didn't know what tables meant it probably means that the language side of your brain is more dominant and the not being able to work outside of the box suggests the same ,I am the reverse my language skills are poor but I can still do mental arithmatic better than people half my age
but they might seem it to us as they are much more gadget minded ,I remember when we all used to watch someone using the telephone but they are not more clever as that is related to something that we are all born with, our intelligence or IQ
No intention of being nasty but if you didn't know what tables meant it probably means that the language side of your brain is more dominant and the not being able to work outside of the box suggests the same ,I am the reverse my language skills are poor but I can still do mental arithmatic better than people half my age
as someone said define clever. But going on many of the young people i come across i would say no. But that would be a fairly small section of society. Spelling and grammar are very important, if you haven't got a handle on either how are you going to compile a CV, and prove that you are not illiterate to your possible future employer. Having sat in on interviews in the past, i can safely say the candidates were often under prepared.
Sadly when I replied to this I hadn't read the other answers.It seems most of the answers are from teachers or ex-teachers who cannot spell
I have two sons who both went to uni and got 2.1 passes but the pride I have in them is their ability to reason ,they know right from wrong and they were taught to respect and make their own decisions and to enjoy life
Oh I am one of the third group that didn't even take GCE's ,as the school I attended just didn't think it was worth it because of the overall standard of the pupils .
I have gone on to have a fine life with many materialistic luxuries but I still respect and tolerate all kinds of people, even Liverpool supporters
I have two sons who both went to uni and got 2.1 passes but the pride I have in them is their ability to reason ,they know right from wrong and they were taught to respect and make their own decisions and to enjoy life
Oh I am one of the third group that didn't even take GCE's ,as the school I attended just didn't think it was worth it because of the overall standard of the pupils .
I have gone on to have a fine life with many materialistic luxuries but I still respect and tolerate all kinds of people, even Liverpool supporters
My daughter has just done a Masters in Creative Writing - job offers, please form a queue.
Half the people on the course had difficulty with spelling and grammar, some to a marked degree. Most are unable to use semicolons. They would never have got into Uni in the old days.
Daughter went to a private school, (with a bursary); her grammar and spelling are exemplary.
Half the people on the course had difficulty with spelling and grammar, some to a marked degree. Most are unable to use semicolons. They would never have got into Uni in the old days.
Daughter went to a private school, (with a bursary); her grammar and spelling are exemplary.
Squad - have you never heard of anyone doing very well thank you through self-employment - there are self made millionaires out there - who never went to University and never went to "Grammar" school. They don't necessarily fall into your narrow minded category Group 3 - labourers and unemployed.
I actually think formal education is OK if you dont have too many personal problems in your childhood and can concentrate on education. But people that are really clever can achieve with or without their "school" education. After all we can learn spelling and grammar at any age.
I actually think formal education is OK if you dont have too many personal problems in your childhood and can concentrate on education. But people that are really clever can achieve with or without their "school" education. After all we can learn spelling and grammar at any age.
@ espookid "Sadly when I replied to this I hadn't read the other answers.It seems most of the answers are from teachers or ex-teachers who cannot spell"
I only know of 3 posters linked with teaching on this thread and cannot find any spelling errors in their posts - would you care to elaborate on your sweeping generalisation? Where have I missed all the mistakes?
I only know of 3 posters linked with teaching on this thread and cannot find any spelling errors in their posts - would you care to elaborate on your sweeping generalisation? Where have I missed all the mistakes?
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