Ritu Ko wrote:
>
> Dr. Brin wrote:
>
> > There is another explanation for those poor test comparisons. Many
> > other countries encourage rote memorization of facts. We consider
> > that to be a gross and evil use of students' minds. In USschools, the
> > emphasis is on process and on class discussions and on encouraging
> > initiative. Guess which approach prepares kids for tests better?
>
> > Guess which approach creates citizens with a fierce independent
> > streak and the resiliency to rebel, if they find themselves aboard a
> > hijacked airliner?
>
> That's a bit of a leap, sir. :)
> I don't see what the peculiarities of the education system have to do
> with individual characterisitics. Courage, honour and resiliency of
> spirit are not values that are ignored just because facts are taught by
> rote. And fiercely independent spirits don't break just because they've
> had to spend a few years memorising some facts by heart. :)
Correlation does not imply causation.
I am of the opinion that both are derived from a cultural
phenomenon/bias/quality/what-have-you, and that while the educational
system may *reinforce* it, the educational system is not the root cause
of it.
I think the same sort of result would have come if you'd put
semi-literate backwoods farmers from the 19th century with little or no
formal schooling into an analogous situation.
But the reinforcement of this quality by the educational system probably
didn't hurt. :)
Julia
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