EPTIs Algebra Necessary? - Page 46
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DoubleReed
United States4130 Posts
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StateofReverie
United States633 Posts
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paralleluniverse
4065 Posts
On August 01 2012 01:31 DoubleReed wrote: I was referring to the letters to the editor. And comparative advantage has nothing to do with algebra. That's an argument against all education. You're right, comparative advantage is more general than just algebra. It's an argument against all education that isn't useful to you. But it doesn't necessarily mean that if you're going to be an actor, that you be prevented from learning algebra or geography if you still want to. It's an argument based on economic efficiency. The guy in the NYTimes article has the right idea, he sucks at math, so he gets someone who is good at math to do the math work, and as a result the work is done quicker. Since the argument isn't "stop teaching algebra", there's nothing to stop you from being a little less efficient by keeping your options open by taking everything you think might potentially be useful. | ||
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DoubleReed
United States4130 Posts
On August 01 2012 01:36 paralleluniverse wrote: You're right, comparative advantage is more general than just algebra. It's an argument against all education that isn't useful to you. But it doesn't necessarily mean that if you're going to be an actor, that you be prevented from learning algebra or geography if you still want to. It's an argument based on economic efficiency. The guy in the NYTimes article has the right idea, he sucks at math, so he gets someone who is good at math to do the math work, and as a result the work is done quicker. Since the argument isn't "stop teaching algebra", there's nothing to stop you from being a little less efficient by keeping your options open by taking everything you think might potentially be useful. Right, so me the mathematician shouldn't take any english or history when I could focus even more on mathematics. Three major issues. 1. Diploma is worthless. You can't even get a basic grasp of someone's abilities at the basic level by whether they have a diploma or not. There is zero standard. 2. People who could be interested in chemistry and physics would not even be exposed to it because they thought algebra was too hard. We would drastically be reducing scientific exposure to kids, even if they could be quite interested in these fields if they were exposed. 3. People who become interested in fields in college will find themselves woefully unprepared. Colleges waste time and money teaching basic algebra to people who should've learned this in high school. This is already happening to a certain degree. | ||
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julianto
2292 Posts
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EAGER-beaver
Canada2799 Posts
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Lightwip
United States5497 Posts
On August 01 2012 00:43 Tarot wrote: I find it especially funny how America always worries about unemployment, while at the same time STEM workers are at a shortage, and somehow lowering (the already low) educational standards are a consideration. There is no STEM shortage. We have more than enough qualified STEM workers, just not enough work for them/ | ||
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Nickemwit
United States253 Posts
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evanthebouncy!
United States12816 Posts
On July 30 2012 23:53 r.Evo wrote: And thus, a new age of knowledge begins. Oh, wait... while we're at it, can we cut art, music, religion, history, physics and chemistry, too please? Most students won't need all that stuff in their real life. those are already optional to some degree. | ||
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Nymphaceae
United States350 Posts
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