Is it just me, or is there a greater-than-average amount of closed-mindedness here?

[conuly]

She homeschools! She doesn't like the idea of tests and homework! She must be stupid!

I love the assumptions:

There's no way to judge how much a student learned unless you give tests and homework. Well, yeah, I guess they could check class participation and classwork - but how could there possibly be enough time??? Because all my classes, which ran on the "tests and homework" idea, were lecture-based, so this class must ALSO be large and lecture based, and there wouldn't be enough time to do classwork. I've never heard of class discussions, or labwork before!

And:

She withdrew her kids over this! She must not want them to learn! This must make her a bible-thumping fundie!

Aside from the obvious WTF prejudice, I have this to say: Of course, you can't learn unless you have homework and tests! This, despite the studies saying that homework and tests can be detrimental to actual learning. Seriously, think back: which did you learn better, the subject you didn't stress out over but instead liked, or the subject which had lots of tests, which you crammed for? Even if you disagree, which is fair, do you *really* think that there's no other way to learn than by lectures, homework, and tests?

Comments

[neurotica0.livejournal.com]

I see you trying to battle the ignorance and prejudice over there, but the audience just isn't listening to you. It's sad really, because I think you have quite a valid point.

[conuly]

Eh, I cite the failure of the traditional school system. It's not their fault.

Actually, strike that. The traditional school system has succeeded in its ultimate goal, which was to indoctrinate them and convince them that they're incapable of learning without lectures, homework, and tests, thus ensuring the survival of the traditional school system and related industries.

[conuly]

What really pisses me off is that I hadn't intended to defend any particular educational model, but they've basically painted me into a corner now.

[mizemm.livejournal.com]

The traditional school system has succeeded in its ultimate goal, which was to indoctrinate them and convince them that they're incapable of learning without lectures, homework, and tests

Public schools also teach that there is one right way to do things, and if you try to explore other options, you're told you're stupid. Don't rock the boat, and pretend you agree with what feels wrong. Sick...

[conuly]

Not sick. Clever. That's the way to survive in this world, to fit in with everybody else. The sad thing is that we like to pretend otherwise, as though individual thinkers are loved or celebrated. *laughs* If they turn out to be useful, they're like trained monkeys, otherwise nobody will be around them at all, and that's the truth.

[mizemm.livejournal.com]

I didn't quite follow that. Are you saying that individual, unconventional thought is bad? Or was this another of your sardonic, cynical comments, that I'm too literal to grasp?

I'd rather be hated for being an individual thinker, than accepted as a conformist. No good change can happen, without individual thinkers.

[conuly]

It's a depressed comment. Not sardonic.

Individual thought IS good - in a general or moral sense. However, if your desire is to survive, it's not good. People will go out of their way to make you miserable if you're not like them, and especially if you don't think like them.

That's not cynical or sardonic. Just me being depressed. Do I do that often? I'm sorry.

[mizemm.livejournal.com]

People will go out of their way to make you miserable if you're not like them, and especially if you don't think like them.

Agreed. :<

That's not cynical or sardonic. Just me being depressed. Do I do that often? I'm sorry.

*shrugs* I'm depressed a lot too, but I think I keep it to myself more, or maybe just express it differently. That's not a criticism, just an observation.

[conuly]

I meant "am I often less comprehensible than would be desired, like, apparently, right now, sorry again".

[mizemm.livejournal.com]

Oh. No, I usually understand what you say..