The 'Death of Physics'
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Pfffft. Physics was dead long before that. Back in 1998 I was getting kids from highschool in my university classes that couldn't draw graphs without using a graphing calculator. I had exams where they would have to graph things and they would come up to me before the exam and ask how could there be plots on the exam if no calculator was allowed? I was stunned so I said "What do you mean?" and they said, "Well, how do we know how to divide up the graph and mark the lines if we don't have our calculators?". Sad. Sad. Sad. When I was a teaching assistant during grad school I got so frustrated with one class that I exploded and told them they were all dumb and stupid and weren't worth my time or effort. To my absolute relief I was promptly removed from all teaching assistant duties and assigned to a research professor to help him write simulation code. It was my pride and joy that never again was I asked to give tutorials to a class. In light of this, all I can say is thank God I'm no longer teaching anyone.
73Zeppelin wrote:
When I was a teaching assistant during grad school I got so frustrated with one class that I exploded and told them they were all dumb and stupid and weren't worth my time or effort.
I just failed them all :) But yeah, my experience was similar. At least to my shock and joy when I started teaching modern physics 75% of the students actually were capable of handling it and of those about 50% actually studied and enjoyed the topic.
My Blog A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
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Apparently, the new science curriculum has changed GCSE physics teaching from imparting basic mathematical models that go some way to describe the behaviour of matter and energy into an exercise in regurgitating the political and cultural norms of the day[^]. Typical questions include: `why would radio stations broadcast digital signals rather than analogue signals?’ An acceptable answer is: Can be processed by computer / ipod `Why must we develop renewable energy sources?’ 'Below which age is it recommended that children use a mobile phone in emergencies only?' What a great way to introduce our children to the most important, complex and subtle of the natural sciences. Where the hell are the bloody Tories on this rampant idiocy and near Lysenkoism?
And for some reason I just don't get, folks who choose to home-school their children exactly because of this state sponsored dumbing down are castigated and called crazy or worse. Double Think?
My Blog A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
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The p(re)SAT, is a version of the test given to 10th grade students for practice and to enter for national merit scholarships (in theory, I don't know anyone who actually got one).
-- You have to explain to them [VB coders] what you mean by "typed". their first response is likely to be something like, "Of course my code is typed. Do you think i magically project it onto the screen with the power of my mind?" --- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
dan neely wrote:
national merit scholarships (in theory, I don't know anyone who actually got one).
You do now. [edit]I saw your reply to VonHagNDaz: 1410 in 90[/edit]
No, it's a man given right. Some things are cow given. Like milk. Milk doesn't kill, but is a much better calcium source than guns are. - Joergen Sigvardsson
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And for some reason I just don't get, folks who choose to home-school their children exactly because of this state sponsored dumbing down are castigated and called crazy or worse. Double Think?
My Blog A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
Chris Austin wrote:
folks who choose to home-school their children exactly because of this state sponsored dumbing down are castigated and called crazy or worse.
That's not the only reason that some parents home school, and not all the home school "curricula" are better then public school. I knew one girl whose parents let her home school herself, she had to take her biology book back to the home school center that she was using and get one that covered evolution. :doh:
No, it's a man given right. Some things are cow given. Like milk. Milk doesn't kill, but is a much better calcium source than guns are. - Joergen Sigvardsson
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If you don't mind my asking, when'd you take the test and how high'd you score on it? I'm just curious what level it actually took to win.
-- You have to explain to them [VB coders] what you mean by "typed". their first response is likely to be something like, "Of course my code is typed. Do you think i magically project it onto the screen with the power of my mind?" --- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
i took the SAT for the 1st time in 7th grade(case study) scored around the mid 900's, pSAT in 9th and 10th grade, made around 1300 give or take 20 points or so. also took the SAT 10th grade, made about 1250. around that time a few of us got called to the guidance councilor and told about the contest. took the SAT again between 10th and 11th, made a 1430. took it again junior year, made a 1340 or so :(. between the highest math and highest verbal(you can pick and choose these days(say you had a 650 math and 800 verbal one test, and a 600 math and 800 verbal, your score would be 1450). some were in there i was told i was a finalist. took SAT again as a senior, got a 1490. ended up taking the ACT for fun, got a perfect. all and all there were 6 finalists from my high school. i ended up with about 10,000 i think, and ended up getting another 20,000 from the university based on the National Merit Scholarship's recommendation. between that and other various scholarships, i ended up making about 5,000 a semester to goto school(the university gives what money isnt spent on tuition back to the student, so i actually got paid to goto college). im just an excellent test taker, thats it. in college where multiple choice doesnt exist, i had some problems because i never really had to study and didnt know how...
-------------------- If modern science was founded by the Catholic Church, why do Christians believe Jesus is magic?
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Chris Austin wrote:
folks who choose to home-school their children exactly because of this state sponsored dumbing down are castigated and called crazy or worse.
That's not the only reason that some parents home school, and not all the home school "curricula" are better then public school. I knew one girl whose parents let her home school herself, she had to take her biology book back to the home school center that she was using and get one that covered evolution. :doh:
No, it's a man given right. Some things are cow given. Like milk. Milk doesn't kill, but is a much better calcium source than guns are. - Joergen Sigvardsson
Andy Brummer wrote:
I knew one girl whose parents let her home school herself, she had to take her biology book back to the home school center that she was using and get one that covered evolution.
No arguments from me there; to be honest I am unable to comprehend that mindset so I have given up trying.
Andy Brummer wrote:
That's not the only reason that some parents home school, and not all the home school "curricula" are better then public school.
But, I've know several people who have chosen to home school only on the grounds of the curricula and the administrative practices that produce them. Yet, when people hear this they only see religious fanatics and crazy people. Its a sad sad situation in my opinion.
My Blog A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
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The p(re)SAT, is a version of the test given to 10th grade students for practice and to enter for national merit scholarships (in theory, I don't know anyone who actually got one).
-- You have to explain to them [VB coders] what you mean by "typed". their first response is likely to be something like, "Of course my code is typed. Do you think i magically project it onto the screen with the power of my mind?" --- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
dan neely wrote:
national merit scholarships (in theory, I don't know anyone who actually got one).
My wife and I both :) Now you know at least three people. 1420 in 90'
My Blog A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
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Andy Brummer wrote:
I knew one girl whose parents let her home school herself, she had to take her biology book back to the home school center that she was using and get one that covered evolution.
No arguments from me there; to be honest I am unable to comprehend that mindset so I have given up trying.
Andy Brummer wrote:
That's not the only reason that some parents home school, and not all the home school "curricula" are better then public school.
But, I've know several people who have chosen to home school only on the grounds of the curricula and the administrative practices that produce them. Yet, when people hear this they only see religious fanatics and crazy people. Its a sad sad situation in my opinion.
My Blog A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
Chris Austin wrote:
But, I've know several people who have chosen to home school only on the grounds of the curricula and the administrative practices that produce them. Yet, when people hear this they only see religious fanatics and crazy people. Its a sad sad situation in my opinion.
Yeah, I'm saving up now to send my son to private school for at least until the 3rd grade, and we will investigate the options as he gets older, and that definitely could include home school depending on what the options are.
No, it's a man given right. Some things are cow given. Like milk. Milk doesn't kill, but is a much better calcium source than guns are. - Joergen Sigvardsson
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i took the SAT for the 1st time in 7th grade(case study) scored around the mid 900's, pSAT in 9th and 10th grade, made around 1300 give or take 20 points or so. also took the SAT 10th grade, made about 1250. around that time a few of us got called to the guidance councilor and told about the contest. took the SAT again between 10th and 11th, made a 1430. took it again junior year, made a 1340 or so :(. between the highest math and highest verbal(you can pick and choose these days(say you had a 650 math and 800 verbal one test, and a 600 math and 800 verbal, your score would be 1450). some were in there i was told i was a finalist. took SAT again as a senior, got a 1490. ended up taking the ACT for fun, got a perfect. all and all there were 6 finalists from my high school. i ended up with about 10,000 i think, and ended up getting another 20,000 from the university based on the National Merit Scholarship's recommendation. between that and other various scholarships, i ended up making about 5,000 a semester to goto school(the university gives what money isnt spent on tuition back to the student, so i actually got paid to goto college). im just an excellent test taker, thats it. in college where multiple choice doesnt exist, i had some problems because i never really had to study and didnt know how...
-------------------- If modern science was founded by the Catholic Church, why do Christians believe Jesus is magic?
Hmmm, not that much better than I did. I took it in 7th for similar reasons and got around a thousand (not sure if just over or just under). Only got a 1250 on the psat. My end of junior year I got 1460 (760v, 700m), I retook at the start of my senior year hoping to get a better score on the math section, since the size of my vocabulary not withstanding I normally do better on math than verbal sections, but had a cold that week and only got a 1340 (~650v 690m). I needed to take the SAT2 and ACT's (same percentiles) and didn't have the time or money for another sat attempt. Didn't really need it either I had scores good enough to easily get into all the schools I was applying to except for one where my regular grades were the limiting factor. I wasn't willing to assume the debt load that attending CMU would've ended up hitting me with anyway.
-- You have to explain to them [VB coders] what you mean by "typed". their first response is likely to be something like, "Of course my code is typed. Do you think i magically project it onto the screen with the power of my mind?" --- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
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Red Stateler wrote:
Government has a poor track record running anything.
Depends on the governmental policy. I was educated in the public school system and don't regret it. Private schools aren't a haven for success, either. Most are rife with drugs and corruption. MIT was accused of handing out degrees in exchange for money. I don't believe this was a particularly isolated point, either. I also saw cases of students pushed through the university system that really had no business graduating with a degree.