Author Topic: The Know-Nothing Generation  (Read 4597 times)

Offline Nilsen

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #75 on: December 02, 2010, 10:59:16 AM »
Perhaps in the future they WILL need to have RAM plugged into their cerebellum to be able to function  :old:

RAM is what they have. What they need is a reliable harddrive for permanent storage   :D

Offline Jayhawk

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #76 on: December 02, 2010, 10:59:32 AM »
There is definitely an effort factor in the SAT and I don't see anything wrong with that.  If a student is committed enough to prepare hard for a standardized test and does well on it, his score not only reflects his intelligence, but it also reflects his work ethic and committment to going to a good university.  Universities want to see that.

However, performance on a test doesn't necessarily reflect a person's intelligence or understanding of the content.  There is a positive correlation I'm sure, but many are starting to believe it is no longer the best method for measuring students.
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Offline oakranger

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #77 on: December 02, 2010, 11:32:32 AM »
LOL.  In class today, we where talking about our final exam next week and weather depending. I made a remark that it is less likely we will get any snow at the rate we are going and the La Nina.  A few kids look at me with a   :huh.  Had to explained to them what it is and El Nina.  they never heard of them before.   
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Offline Vudak

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #78 on: December 02, 2010, 02:05:19 PM »
There is definitely an effort factor in the SAT and I don't see anything wrong with that.  If a student is committed enough to prepare hard for a standardized test and does well on it, his score not only reflects his intelligence, but it also reflects his work ethic and committment to going to a good university.  Universities want to see that.

That's true to an extent, but again, the required effort level decreases as funds available increase.  It's just like anything else in life.  Could you go to the library and teach yourself another language?  Absolutely.  Would it likely take considerably less time and effort if you hired someone to teach you Spanish?  Absolutely.

The SATs are not a very reliable measure of anything other than whether or not you can learn how to take a test.

Even so, what would the alternative be?  I can't think of a practical one.
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Offline danny76

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #79 on: December 02, 2010, 02:32:50 PM »
i wish i could wake in the morning and think of nothing but Rainbows and Butterflies ;)



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Offline grizz441

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #80 on: December 02, 2010, 04:54:30 PM »
That's true to an extent, but again, the required effort level decreases as funds available increase.  It's just like anything else in life.  Could you go to the library and teach yourself another language?  Absolutely.  Would it likely take considerably less time and effort if you hired someone to teach you Spanish?  Absolutely.

The SATs are not a very reliable measure of anything other than whether or not you can learn how to take a test.

Even so, what would the alternative be?  I can't think of a practical one.

I think the correct answer is somewhere in the middle.  No idiot can score a 1400+ on SAT no matter how hard he studies.  And no genius will score less than a 1400 no matter how little he studies.  Yes, preparation will improve your score a certain amount maybe within 200 points of what you would naturally score with your base high school education.  And yes having money and better resources does give you an advantage, but that is life!

Offline Ardy123

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #81 on: December 02, 2010, 05:12:04 PM »
Yes, preparation will improve your score a certain amount maybe within 200 points of what you would naturally score with your base high school education.

I disagree to some extent, the SAT tests what you know, intelligence isn't about knowing its about your ability to learn. That being said, sure if everyone was exposed to the exact same education and experiences from day one, then sure, the SAT would test how much you were able to absorb. The reality of it is though all schools are not equal, not all schools teach exact same stuff, & not all schools focus on students acing the SAT test.

Back when I took the SAT, 1600 was the max, and was broken into effectively 3 sections, one that was basically analogies, one that tested basic reading comprehension and graph analyzing skills, one that tested basic math skills. If you went to a school that exposed you to and practiced these skills, then you did well, but many poor schools will almost pass kids through without teaching them these basic skills. So, although they may have the potential to learn, they were not given the same opportunity over 13 year period (counting kindergarten), and thus are grossly inept for the SAT test.

Rather I would argue that the SAT test, tests if you have learned the right things to have the potential to succeed in a traditional university.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2010, 05:14:17 PM by Ardy123 »
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Offline sntslilhlpr6601

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #82 on: December 02, 2010, 06:27:56 PM »
You do make a good point, Ardy, about the schools. In my opinion, parents are somewhat to blame when it comes to my generation's ineptitude, whether it be because they both have to work all the time or be it just plain incompetence or even apathy, but the lack of quality public schools is another big reason. I can count on one hand the amount of teachers I had that seemed to actually give a damn about their students, and most of my schooling was in fairly wealthy neighborhoods.

How to fix this? Complete public education overhaul, kill the teacher's unions, take all these mindless reality shows off the air - especially on the friggin history channel, no more pop music, no more tech gadgets waved in our faces constantly to distract us from the world collapsing around us, oh, and you need a license to have a kid.  :devil

I'm not entirely serious, of course. But this issue is way more complex than a lot of people think. And you can't change the world overnight.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2010, 06:35:40 PM by sntslilhlpr6601 »

Offline adam1

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #83 on: December 02, 2010, 06:43:11 PM »


  At least I go to a private school.   :banana:
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Offline Tupac

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #84 on: December 02, 2010, 06:50:08 PM »

  At least I go to a private school.   :banana:

You will still have to take the SATs to get into a college
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Offline Motherland

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #85 on: December 02, 2010, 07:07:24 PM »

  At least I go to a private school.   :banana:
And...?

Offline Tupac

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #86 on: December 02, 2010, 07:10:45 PM »
"It was once believed that an infinite number of monkeys, typing on an infinite number of keyboards, would eventually reproduce the works of Shakespeare. However, with the advent of Internet messageboards we now know this is not the case."

Offline adam1

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #87 on: December 02, 2010, 07:40:20 PM »
You will still have to take the SATs to get into a college

 I know that.
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Offline adam1

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #88 on: December 02, 2010, 07:43:11 PM »
He's speshul

 I'm not special, I just think that it's a better education opportunity. And It's not one of those snobby rich-kid private school.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2010, 08:28:25 PM by adam1 »
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Offline Motherland

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Re: The Know-Nothing Generation
« Reply #89 on: December 02, 2010, 08:07:24 PM »