Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Grainne who wrote (25406)	10/12/1998 5:54:00 PM
From: Jacques Chitte	1 Recommendation Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

>child-centered, rather than fact-centered < These are certainly evocative words, but when I try to think about them, I have no idea what they mean. What is "child-centered education"? Is it a definite, definible idea, or is it mush, y'know, like asking people to "realize their own actuality"? >as long as facts are taught in a way which does not destroy the joy of learning forever.< I personally believe this is very hard to do. Facts have a beauty all their own. They don't need training wheels for those children who are innately curious. Might it be that the presentation of facts, and then the competition to see who masters them the best, has value for society? However stuff is taught, the final, unavoidable truth of the matter is that the student will need to be tested on his command of the material. Getting into college or obtaining a degree in any specialty which hires people who make things requires passing a test designed to ensure mastery of the subject. This cannot be done without knowing the fact base. It can be done without enjoying it - but I imagine that by then the student will have gone into a field for which he has more aptitude - or has seen fit to exit the academic scene for a less stressful lifestyle. No schoolchild should be screened from the opportunity to learn that the world is a competitive place - and the good jobs belong to the achievers. Failure is a vital lesson for those who aren't straight-A students. Take away failure, and motivation becomes a whole lot more shadowy. Jmho