Bill Gates on education

[Agathon]

But I think such stuff isn't important, if all of the classes that are offered are rigorous.

Yeah. They should make them do classics. The British built an Empire with guys educated that way.

[DanS]

While I have a lot of respect for people who do classics studies, it's not that helpful in the context of the American school system.

[Az]

Why so, DanS?

[Agathon]

While I have a lot of respect for people who do classics studies, it's not that helpful in the context of the American school system.

It's hardass. If you can do it the old fashioned way, everything else will be easier. Besides, you can learn a lot more about human life from the classics than from some daft social studies book.

[Az]

I am actually sort of with Agathon on this one.

I think that studying philosophy and all that other rubbish at a relatively young age is sort of important. Another important thing is to bring in a culture of learning, and break the culture of ignorance. the former will assist in the later.

[Admiral]

From my own experience (which, I admit, could mean nothing), class sizes matter to a certain degree. On one hand, if there are less peope there, you often get too much attention to slack off, and end up doing well (or better than you would have) in spite of yourself. Also, you're both expected to contribute more, and have a chance to contribute more, and discussions are much more managable. While I agree that better teachers are more important that class size (it doesn't matter the size of the class if the teacher sucks), I have trouble believing that class size has no effect.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by DanS
I know you think this and that it is conventional wisdom. But I think such stuff isn't important, if all of the classes that are offered are rigorous.

You'll pry my electives from my cold, dead fingers

[Kuciwalker]

btw, why is it that smaller class sizes = smaller school?

[Kontiki]

I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. I have no doubt that smaller classes benefit certain students, likely those that are stradling the fence and need a little extra attention. I have my doubts about the benefits to both the really good students and the really poor students. Which makes me think that smaller classes have a positive effect on an individual class level, but I'm not sure how this is offset by aggregate costs.

[DanS]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker


You'll pry my electives from my cold, dead fingers

Hey, you might like them. But strictly speaking, they are not necessary or indeed maybe not even helpful for preparing you for college.

[Agathon]

Nothing beats one on one tutorials from Debra LeFave.

[Kuciwalker]

Like hell they aren't. You don't think being able to take advanced math, or study biotechnology, or learn more than an "Intro to CS" helps prepare for college?

EDIT: *especially* the math

[aneeshm]

Aggie , I think that you're pwned on this one . My own experience suggests that smaller classes are waaaaay better than larger ones . They were for my grades . Last year , there was a class of thirty , and my grades were not what I wanted them to be ( less than 70 % ) , and now that the class size has effectively been reduced to 15 , my learning has improved , and my grades are better ( I get 75 % + regularly now , even on much tougher tests ) .


So I conclude that yes , size does matter - and in this case , the smaller the better .

[Agathon]

Yet there is no unanimity on the subject. I remain sceptical.

Kuci needs some LeFave tutoring.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
He says schools are obsolete, but then he doesn't propose any groundbreaking, meaningful change. Its all hot air. Much deeper change needs to happen to reform education in this country.