Are we actually learning anything?

[gamarada717]

As I was flipping through my algebra book tonight, I noticed something. Up in the corner, in the fine print, it said, "Where to use in life". Upon seeing that, I started to think about how even though I learn tons of formulas, terms, and patterns, am I actually going to use it in life?

This has occured to me before, but it just crossed my mind. I think that this is a huge flaw in our schools. Who cares if I know how to evaluate a problem. If I don't know WHY I need this, or WHERE I'm going to use it, it's almost pointless. Just more information stored in my brain until after my tests are over....then it's flushed out, and in a month, I'm just as callow in that subject as I was when I began.

I bet that people would be less indolent about things if they knew that it had a meaningful purpose in their lives. I don't learn in school. I memorize. As far as I'm concerned, the only things that I've learned in school for the past 2 years was music.

If teachers gave us a reason to learn, if they motivated us to excel in school, the improvements would be of the charts. Instead, we're in an atrophy of purpose in life, slowly falling below the standards of what we should be.

[-Carnifex-]

Because our schools want to make us as wellrounded as possible so me can pursue whatever course we'd like.

[Restola]

You will use algebra and trig in physics if nowhere else. Even the pathetic introduction you get in high school helps.

And you know what? Parts of college will be the same way. But the real world expects you to have shown you learned certain things.

And you can hardly blame the teachers for work being boring any more than you can one day blame poor performance at work on a boss that doesn't "push" you. The motivation for work hard always has to come from within. I think thats part of maturity.

[Albinonewt]

Originally posted by -Carnifex-
Because our schools want to make us as wellrounded as possible so me can pursue whatever course we'd like.

No, because the teacher's unions like to come up with new ways of claiming that they're teaching "critical thinking and sensitivity" without actually imparting any kind of knowledge on our students.

Although, math scores went up last year, so it looks like some schools are reverting to the methods that work

And Algebra is important. Trust me

[Torbo]

i guess restola is right, thats what my parents say too. Course it still doesnt make that crap any easier or fun. I feel excatly the same way everyday sitting in math. not good times

[personman]

Re: Are we actually learning anything?

Originally posted by gamarada717
Just more information stored in my brain until after my tests are over....then it's flushed out, and in a month, I'm just as callow in that subject as I was when I began.

Wierd, my brain flushes out information that I learn about every 5 minites, I dont even have to wait for the tests to be over to get that crap out of my head

[animal]

I used to think that way as well...

But then somewhere round about my 5th semester of calculus, it all kindof fell together, and I started finding ways to actually think about using all that math to explain things. Taking 2 semesters of calculus based physics REALLY helped to apply all that math I learned to something realistic that can be measured and experienced.

I really knew it was something when I was thinking about paintball guns, and applying differential equations to figure things out. It'll come, just be patient with it, and learn the basics.

[animal]

I should add that I wish they'd cut out all the artsy fartsy crap from schools though. I honestly hate art, have always hated art, and really never want to learn or learn to appreciate art. I saw no point in suffering through it. I really don't like how they try to put half an effort into making people "well rounded". Especially when people like me will strive to forget all that junk. Just give me what I need to know, and let me decide what other bothersome junk I want to stuff my brain with.

Sorry, had to rant.

[Kai]

Originally posted by animal
I should add that I wish they'd cut out all the artsy fartsy crap from schools though. I honestly hate art, have always hated art, and really never want to learn or learn to appreciate art. I saw no point in suffering through it. I really don't like how they try to put half an effort into making people "well rounded". Especially when people like me will strive to forget all that junk. Just give me what I need to know, and let me decide what other bothersome junk I want to stuff my brain with.

Sorry, had to rant.

If they cut the art programs, I would stop going to school. Seriously.

Believe me, there are some of us who GREATLY appreciate the art programs that schools run.

[animal]

Originally posted by Kai


If they cut the art programs, I would stop going to school. Seriously.

Believe me, there are some of us who GREATLY appreciate the art programs that schools run.

I guess I should've added the "Required arsty fartsy crap." It's fine for those who want it, but they shouldn't REQUIRE me to take it if I don't want all that in my curriculum. Those should be electives, just like shop, or music, or things like that. One could argue phy ed should be necessary, but if people aren't going to excerise and be active anyway, what good does a half hour a day do them? Make it an elective and help those people that want to do it in the first place. The real purpose of the school curriculum should be to teach some of the stuff you'd need to know, like basic math, english, grammar, how to read, write, communicate, understand, basic civil liberties, a bit of history of the country they are a part of, and hopefully people would be able to come out of there knowing at least a little bit of common sense... something apparently lacking in at least part of our school systems.

Don't get me wrong, there's a place for artsy classes, it's just not for everyone, and cramming it down people's throats is not the way to teach them "appreciation". I'd hope that not every school system would require it, but mine did.

[Mr.Minus]

at our high school art is only an elective, no required art here except maybe before the 6th grade.

the art programs in our school are what i think the best programs in our school, all our art teachers are artists themselves, and for me its one of the few classes i really enjoy

[animal]

That's good to hear, hopefully most will adopt that strategy as well.

Again don't get me wrong. I'm not ranking on art nor am I ranking on the quality of the art programs, only the fact that some curriculums still require people to take it, as if to force it upon them. Even my college curriculum forced us to take fine art credits. Luckily I was able to get out of it with Guitar 101. Since I had played guitar for 9 years prior, it was cake.

[gamarada717]

Originally posted by animal


I guess I should've added the "Required arsty fartsy crap." It's fine for those who want it, but they shouldn't REQUIRE me to take it if I don't want all that in my curriculum. Those should be electives, just like shop, or music, or things like that. One could argue phy ed should be necessary, but if people aren't going to excerise and be active anyway, what good does a half hour a day do them? Make it an elective and help those people that want to do it in the first place. The real purpose of the school curriculum should be to teach some of the stuff you'd need to know, like basic math, english, grammar, how to read, write, communicate, understand, basic civil liberties, a bit of history of the country they are a part of, and hopefully people would be able to come out of there knowing at least a little bit of common sense... something apparently lacking in at least part of our school systems.

Don't get me wrong, there's a place for artsy classes, it's just not for everyone, and cramming it down people's throats is not the way to teach them "appreciation". I'd hope that not every school system would require it, but mine did.

Totally agreed, even though I haven't had to take this art stuff, but I know I will have to. Art is an appreciation for many. But not for all. If they are going to teach about things that are oppinion and happen to be an enjoyment of their life, then I think we should have a class about soccer and it's history, hell, why not paintball!. But wait. That would be stupid. Nobody likes SOCCER or PAINTBALL....

[SlipknotX556]

Math, you will use for the rest of your life. But some subjects you will not, such as science or english or like spanish or something. You will use math in basically every job.

[-Carnifex-]

Originally posted by Albinonewt


No, because the teacher's unions like to come up with new ways of claiming that they're teaching "critical thinking and sensitivity" without actually imparting any kind of knowledge on our students.

Although, math scores went up last year, so it looks like some schools are reverting to the methods that work

And Algebra is important. Trust me

Yeah, I'm sure that's it.