[arachne] Re: Off topic? Re: Re: How to fix this puter?

Arachne at FreeLists---The Arachne Fan Club!
Little late getting this response off ... just got out of hospital yesterday. It seems that *I* am the person who gets such rare diseases (yet non-contagious???) no one knows whether or not to even start treating me. Decision made: See if another culture or two will grow (it can take 8wks or longer with this sucker), and if so *then* start medication protocol.
Had to make a comment on this one section ... it's a pet peeve of mine (as former teacher as well as current grandma): 

Greg Mayman wrote:

Arachne at FreeLists---The Arachne Fan Club!
And the job of the schools is to teach the students how to pass exams
and get qualifications that can get them a job when they leave school.


Wrong approach, and that is why "graduates" are *NOT* qualified.
The job of the school is to teach the students how to think, how to use reference materials, and how to remain familiar with the area in which they want to work. (No one can know everything; the secret is knowing where to *find* everything.)
The job of the school is ****NOT**** to teach the students how to pass exams!!!!!!!!!!11
"Teaching to the exam" is what has pretty much destroyed education. The students can't go to the next grade/graduate unless they pass a certain exam. It doesn't matter if the student is even semi-competent in the subjects that are supposed to be taught ... what matter is ONLY that they pass the exam. And now, more and more, teachers are being forced to teach almost exclusively the exam ... because if the kids don't pass the teacher gets fired!
The idea of educating the children so they reach a certain level of competency and self-assurance got thrown out the window, with the Bush Admin nailing the shutters and plywood over them so no sunlight can get back in. And, sad to say, right now no one has the funds, energy or motivation to reverse that "trend" because everyone is too damn busy trying to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. 

And     this      is
     a     soapbox
I     will  continue
   to     stand
upon ............
Because it may be one of the most important things in our futures.

l.d.
Arachne at FreeLists -- Arachne, The Premier GPL Web Browser/Suite for DOS --

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