American Schooling?

[ve6wtf]

I was just thinking about when I was in school and how much I learned about American history and I wondered if you guys learned anything about Canada?

Not to important but just wanted to see if there are any differences in our school system and yours. :rolleyes:

Kyle,

[n5ipt]

Nope. Graduated 2004.

[KD8EPC]

Nope but i did have a British History teacher teaching me American History?!?

[KB1LQD]

Ya sorry WTF, I think we learned allitle bit but honestly not to much.

[kb1oev]

I graduated from high school in 04 and college in 08. We never had a specific course or section about Canada. There was some material covered, but nothing that I can remember specifically.

Of course we studied American history to death from the 1600s through world war II. We touched on Vietnam, but nothing more recent than that. I was really not happy about this. They should have at least taken us to present day. So I'm not really surprised that Canada and probably many other subjects were neglected.

[ve6wtf]

Really?
I had to learn about the struggle for American independance,
Democracy,
The Economic impact America has on Canada,
Your geography, EVERYTHING
We even had large textbooks pertaining to nothing BUT America.

Wow, :eek:

[n5ipt]

Really?
I had to learn about the struggle for American independance,
Democracy,


Many American kids of today don't even learn this much now. My brother said he hasn't been taught any of this.


The Economic impact America has on Canada,

Your geography, EVERYTHINGI remember in elementary having to learn all the provinces. Beyond that never again did we hear about Canada. The last time I had to memorize all of the United States was in 6th grade.

I think we covered better material in middle school than we ever did in high school. The governments standards on education have taken a nosedive in my opinion.

Bill Beattie (http://www.wisdomquotes.com/001394.html): The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think - rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with thoughts of other men.

Unfortunately schools today seem to teach more conformity than independence and knowledge.

Another scary fact:
The study, issued by America's Promise Alliance, indicated that Dallas had a graduation rate of 44.4 percent in 2004

[ve6wtf]

holy cow!

I really had no idea about that..
Here in Canada its really frowned upon to drop out of school
Its almost a walk of shame!
Mind you here in alberta it is commen for high school aged kids to drop out and work in the oil fields. Just because there is so much money to be made.

Are Americans not concerned about this fact?

I learned alot of what I know about America in highschool
America has alot of influence on Canada, most people wont admit it though.
I also think we have an influence on America, You guys have socialized alot in recent times.
The next biggest step I think that would make your country much better would be socialist healthcare (Universal)
I know its thought of as lowly and poor to have universal healthcare but it really isnt that bad! Much better than lopping off a couple fingers and finding out you can only afford to fix three of them.

[KI4SYC]

I teach about Canada in my World Geography class at Winder-Barrow Middle School. It is part of the 6th Grade curriculum.

[ve6wtf]

No offence meant by this,

But do they teach it to the students in Elementry because half of them are dropping out once they hit highschool?

[KB1LQC]

No offence meant by this,

But do they teach it to the students in Elementry because half of them are dropping out once they hit highschool?

IDK about half... my high school only dropped maybe 6 or so students in a year and our school was almost 2000 students. My class alone (Senior last year) was 432.

[KB9BVN]

No offence meant by this,

But do they teach it to the students in Elementry because half of them are dropping out once they hit highschool?

Yes, thank God for Canadian history classes, it has saved the American public education system.

Do they not teach spelling in Alberta?

[KB9BVN]

For Alberta, and the 1997/1998 school year, the high school graduation rate was 63.2%

In 1998 the US national average was 71%

Neither is really anything to be proud of.

[KU0DM]

I was reading something in NatGeo and I think it was South Korea that had the best education?

I can't remember, it was a bit of a surprise to me though.

[ve6wtf]

For Alberta, and the 1997/1998 school year, the high school graduation rate was 63.2%

In 1998 the US national average was 71%

Neither is really anything to be proud of.

Your comparing a province wide statistic to a nation wide statistic.
Alberta isnt a country.... if you want to split hairs and pick on my spelling.

[va7aax]

Yeah, We too are being taught a lot of American history in Socials

[n5ipt]

Your comparing a province wide statistic to a nation wide statistic.
Alberta isnt a country.... if you want to split hairs and pick on my spelling.

The statistic I provided was for the city of Dallas. I live 32 miles away from Dallas. I was somewhat surprised in a way, but after touring the streets of the city it really shouldn't be.

I've driven by MANY schools and they all appear to be built back in the 60's. None of them have central air conditioning. Every window has a portable air unit. The playgrounds have graffiti and are torn up. When school gets out, 98% of the students are part of a specific minority.

I can only guess what the inside of these schools look like. They probably smell funny and have computers back from the early 90's (if they have computers at all.)

These comments are taken from my observations of the schools around uptown Dallas area. Specifically Inwood Ave.

No offence meant by this,

But do they teach it to the students in Elementry because half of them are dropping out once they hit highschool?

Again, this wasn't a country wide statistic I provided, and should not be assumed as such. However this comment did make me laugh. ;-) Yes, we do teach our children as much as possible about Canada. We try to get 'em young cause they drop out so soon as we know!

In seriousness, I think the educational standards in America are falling. The level of education has dropped significantly since when I was in school, and it's a sad thing to see. When communist nations like China start beating the western nations in academic skill, you know something is horribly wrong. I fear that western society won't be the forerunner of science, manufacturing and innovation for long. Not if we keep pushing out sub-intelligent students at least.

It use to be the United States had what is called "brain drain" where all the most intelligent foreign people were coming to the United States to get work. People from India, China, Russia, etc. All the top minds of all the fields would come to work in the united states on amazing technology relating to medical, science, aerospace, and technology. Now we are seeing a sort of "reverse brain drain" where not only have the foreign people left the U.S. to places such as China and India to pursue these goals -- but the more intelligent and successful U.S. citizens are now immigrating to other countries such as China to lend their expertise.

Just my opinion. It seems the United States has made some big mistakes and we're all starting to see the consequence.

[va7aax]

"In seriousness, I think the educational standards in America are falling. The level of education has dropped significantly since when I was in school, and it's a sad thing to see. When communist nations like China start beating the western nations in academic skill, you know something is horribly wrong. I fear that western society won't be the forerunner of science, manufacturing and innovation for long. Not if we keep pushing out sub-intelligent students at least.

It use to be the United States had what is called "brain drain" where all the most intelligent foreign people were coming to the United States to get work. People from India, China, Russia, etc. All the top minds of all the fields would come to work in the united states on amazing technology relating to medical, science, aerospace, and technology. Now we are seeing a sort of "reverse brain drain" where not only have the foreign people left the U.S. to places such as China and India to pursue these goals -- but the more intelligent and successful U.S. citizens are now immigrating to other countries such as China to lend their expertise.

Just my opinion. It seems the United States has made some big mistakes and we're all starting to see the consequence.[/QUOTE]



Not starting a fight or something but North America never has been at the top of academic skill. Only reason why US has lot of advancement is due to the money US has , while Asia is a little short.

Also, Asian countries have rarely a dropout even at University level.It is a BIG deal dropping out there.(believe me, I have been in schools around the world.)

"reverse brain drain" India is leading in Information Technology.

Maybe actually going to Asian countries will help understand the difference.

[ve6wtf]

KE5UVL DE VE6WTF

The statistic I provided was for the city of Dallas. I live 32 miles away from Dallas. I was somewhat surprised in a way, but after touring the streets of the city it really shouldn't be.

Not to be rude but,
If you notice I didnt qoute you,
I quoted KB9BVN,

The comment was not based on your statistic from Dallas, but rather the statistic given from the states that was then compared to just one province.
Which is why I had a problem with it as it is misrepresentation of the facts.

And the text I qouted said "Nation Wide Statistic"

So I think you are mistaken

But I completely agree with everthing else you said.. it is noticeable here as well... The highschool here in Devon has the same teachers and building that my mother went to 25 years ago!

As for secondary education... there is no shortage, we have great programs going all over alberta. Especially U of A.

I know if I would have went to school in Germany like my parents had planned it probly would have done me some good. in that context VA7AAX is correct, overseas the schooling is taken VERY seriously

[N9MOQ]

. .

[KB1LQC]

Thinking back, I don't remember one thing being taught about Canada in school, other than it was the country to the north of us.

But be glad US schools don't teach about Canada, because if they did, they would teach about the horrible socialized health care system Canada has in which everyone has to wait for months to get treated and everyone in Canada has to travel to the US to get health care. Which is what our TV and Radio media "teach" us about Canada.

I can only imagine US schools would also put down your form of government, since we are taught the US form of government is "the best in the world" and nothing in recorded history has ever been as good.

I prefer to learn about Canada from my friends that actually live in Canada that seem to have a completely different story about how things are, than what our media tells us. Having visited Canada, I found it is not the scary socialist country the US media makes it out to be, where people are dying in the streets because of the horrible lack of health care.

Hmm I spent 9 months in Rochester, NY this year, close enough to Canada where you catch people saying "eh" hihi. I also went there a few years ago. In all reality I have only heard about the health care system but not in the fashion you explained. Maybe the news is reported differently based on geographically and politically different areas. It would make perfect sense that this is the case. For the most part, I have really heard great things about Canada.

As for US schooling and it's drop in standards, I believe after a year of college seeing the different views and motivations the students around me have, that one of the larger parts of the puzzle is the student him or herself.

The one thing that I noticed almost immediately was why someone else wanted to be an Engineer (for example). Personally, I've always taken things apart (almost never was able to get them back together :cool:!). Then I found amateur radio and it all fell in place. I knew that I wanted to design electronics and understand them better. I truly want to know more about engineering and how things work.

A number of the other students (I also know many who agree with me though) differ. They were always good at math and were suggested to become an engineer. For the most part many have told me that the main reasons they want to be an engineer is because they are good at math and it pays well. I am absolutely sure that this ideal is not confined to my own university. It' always bothered me a little, why do something you truly don't love to do? I've always struggled at math, when I joke with my friends that I scored higher on my reading and writing SAT's than my math SAT's they question why I want a major that is math intensive? It's hard but I absolutely LOVE engineering, especially electronics.

So motivation, in my mind could be hurting the nation. If more people truly wanted to learn more and apply what they know to advance technology in America, then the story may be different. I've termed it the "8 to 5 engineer" (which does not apply to all, just a term), once the workday is over the innovation stops, i don't think that was how it always was. One very important invention made after work or school was the helical antenna. Jon Kraus W8JK made it late at night after a professor told him it couldn't be done...(first thing that came to mind, great book! Big Ear Two )

This isn't meant to attack anyone or cause a commotion, but maybe to vent. Maybe some others will agree, some will disagree, we are all entitled to our own beliefs :).




Bryce
KB1LQC

[n5ipt]

A number of the other students (I also know many who agree with me though) differ. They were always good at math and were suggested to become an engineer. For the most part many have told me that the main reasons they want to be an engineer is because they are good at math and it pays well. I am absolutely sure that this ideal is not confined to my own university. It' always bothered me a little, why do something you truly don't love to do? I've always struggled at math, when I joke with my friends that I scored higher on my reading and writing SAT's than my math SAT's they question why I want a major that is math intensive? It's hard but I absolutely LOVE engineering, especially electronics.


I know many folks like this who were pushed to the field for the money and because of their math skill. Specifically in the I.T. field. I only have a high school education, but make up for it in my passion for computers.

I will end up working beside a four year university student who got into computer science because they were good at math and wanted to make $80,000. They end up making more money than I do, but they usually end up getting fired for screwing something critical up. They make mistakes, they come to me with questions instead of using Google, etc.

You can go to school and get credentials for hire in a specific field, but you won't keep a job, or know what you're doing unless you have self-motivation to learn the new things in that field.

At this time I have no drive to go to college. I may make $30-40,000 vs $80-100,000 but at least I know my craft better than the university bozo's who last about 5 months before being let go or promoted into management so their mistakes can't destroy projects.

[va7aax]

The one thing that I noticed almost immediately was why someone else wanted to be an Engineer (for example). Personally, I've always taken things apart (almost never was able to get them back together :cool:!). Then I found amateur radio and it all fell in place. I knew that I wanted to design electronics and understand them better. I truly want to know more about engineering and how things work.

A number of the other students (I also know many who agree with me though) differ. They were always good at math and were suggested to become an engineer. For the most part many have told me that the main reasons they want to be an engineer is because they are good at math and it pays well. I am absolutely sure that this ideal is not confined to my own university. It' always bothered me a little, why do something you truly don't love to do? I've always struggled at math, when I joke with my friends that I scored higher on my reading and writing SAT's than my math SAT's they question why I want a major that is math intensive? It's hard but I absolutely LOVE engineering, especially electronics.

So motivation, in my mind could be hurting the nation. If more people truly wanted to learn more and apply what they know to advance technology in America, then the story may be different. I've termed it the "8 to 5 engineer" (which does not apply to all, just a term), once the workday is over the innovation stops, i don't think that was how it always was. One very important invention made after work or school was the helical antenna. Jon Kraus W8JK made it late at night after a professor told him it couldn't be done...(first thing that came to mind, great book! Big Ear Two )

This isn't meant to attack anyone or cause a commotion, but maybe to vent. Maybe some others will agree, some will disagree, we are all entitled to our own beliefs :).




Bryce
KB1LQC





KB1LQC, applause!


Most students never have done anything relating to a University subjecy.(Amateur radio helps both in Math and Science.)

Most people end up taking Graduate Degrees that dont interest them at all and then later end up taking some other course somewhere else that eventually lands them a job.(that job is also "8-5")

But the people who really have a strong interest in their job and work hard, only they will always get mos out of it.

KB1LQC , good luck on the degree!

[ve6wtf]

I also got to say its great that you are actually working for something you ACTUALLY want!

I am fortunate that I live in Alberta because of the oil industry, there is lots of money to be made by people my age.
In fact the youngest person I have met was working up at rainbow creek on a rig, I beleive he was just general labour... but at 15 you gotta hand it to him.

At 16 when I dropped out of school and worked for an oilfield contracting company building gaurd rails for 10 hours a day 6 days a week I was making more than my mom was and she has gone to colledge!

The only thing was that I bloody well hated it, VERY repetitive, VERY unsafe, I eventually had to quite because of some serious health issues that arose from being around chemicals and welding fumes, when your breathing xenon and paint thinner all day mixed with the fumes from the mig's it isnt to healthy when there is no proper ventilation.