Back to basics

[mashman]

In the 3rd form we moved from arithmetic to maths, every period we had a maths test, those who failed were hauled out into the corridor and caned. Mass canings the first few days, and less as some kids learned maths and others of us learned how to cheat. Over 40 years later I found out I have a form of dyslexia called dyscalculia. In the 4th form I was able to drop maths for trade maths, where all we did was homework for the next period. Like anyone with dyslexia I've been dumb all my life, not dumb because I couldn't read, but dumb because I can't add things in my head, and giving change is something I just can't comprehend.

I don't give much credit to the modern education system, but in our enlightened society these days they might pick up on the bright kid with the advanced reading age who hasn't got a clue how to add and subtract.

Farcanal that's a tad brutal. You sure they didn't mistake your face for your arse ...

I guess they do... but WTF would you do with those kids who are good at one thing and not another? Why would you bother doing anything with them? After all they're still only a kid. I'm kinda with the OP as the 3 R's should highlight all sorts of "anomalies", from dyslexia to the reader that can't add worth shit etc... I guess we all grow differently and have different talents, be they coping by hard work, or natural talent, good guesswork, "cheating". As you allude to, we don't have a flexible enough educational system to be able to mix those mental age groups by subject. It costs too much apparently

[Motu]

Well, we all got by in the old system - kids with learning problems aren't stupid. Someone with dyslexia might put a word in for how we cope, tricks and strategies. Dyslexics trick someone else into reading something for them....I trick someone good at maths to do a sum for me, makes them feel good, and I get the answer I need.

[Brian d marge]

I can use letters and maths together and in another language
C ++
Try that old folks

Stephen

[slowpoke]

In the 3rd form we moved from arithmetic to maths, every period we had a maths test, those who failed were hauled out into the corridor and caned. Mass canings the first few days, and less as some kids learned maths and others of us learned how to cheat. Over 40 years later I found out I have a form of dyslexia called dyscalculia. In the 4th form I was able to drop maths for trade maths, where all we did was homework for the next period. Like anyone with dyslexia I've been dumb all my life, not dumb because I couldn't read, but dumb because I can't add things in my head, and giving change is something I just can't comprehend.

I don't give much credit to the modern education system, but in our enlightened society these days they might pick up on the bright kid with the advanced reading age who hasn't got a clue how to add and subtract.

My good lady had a similar brutal experience: intermediate school, she a had maths test every morning and in front of the class you got a wallop for every question you got wrong. Wasn't long before she was so humiliated/terrified she couldn't think straight and things spiralled downhill. Fortunately her parents asked some questions and a change of teacher saw her on the way to uni with good marks in a few years. Things worked out ok for her ('cept for being lumped with me, poor woman) but I wonder how many other kids that "teacher" fucked up? A return to the old days/ways isn't all it's cracked up to be.

[slowpoke]

I can use letters and maths together and in another language
C ++
Try that old folks

Stephen

Is that slightly worse than a B-?

[mashman]

Well, we all got by in the old system - kids with learning problems aren't stupid. Someone with dyslexia might put a word in for how we cope, tricks and strategies. Dyslexics trick someone else into reading something for them....I trick someone good at maths to do a sum for me, makes them feel good, and I get the answer I need.

Ahhhhhh, tres cunning. As you say, just because you can't add, read or write doesn't make one a dumbarse by any means. You're obviously proof of that

[mashman]

I can use letters and maths together and in another language
C ++
Try that old folks

Stephen

Part timer just 1 language.

[jasonu]

I'm constantly amazed at serious darts player's ability to quickly perform lengthy mental arithmetic.

I believe it's a clear sign that beer is good for you.

Try going to a casino and watch roulette or craps dealers mentally calculate payouts. (That is if anyone is lucky enough to win of course)

[Edbear]

In the 3rd form we moved from arithmetic to maths, every period we had a maths test, those who failed were hauled out into the corridor and caned. Mass canings the first few days, and less as some kids learned maths and others of us learned how to cheat. Over 40 years later I found out I have a form of dyslexia called dyscalculia. In the 4th form I was able to drop maths for trade maths, where all we did was homework for the next period. Like anyone with dyslexia I've been dumb all my life, not dumb because I couldn't read, but dumb because I can't add things in my head, and giving change is something I just can't comprehend.

I don't give much credit to the modern education system, but in our enlightened society these days they might pick up on the bright kid with the advanced reading age who hasn't got a clue how to add and subtract.

A schoolmate was considered dumb until eventually his parents discovered he needed glasses. Once he could see the blackboard he picked up quite well....

My good lady had a similar brutal experience: intermediate school, she a had maths test every morning and in front of the class you got a wallop for every question you got wrong. Wasn't long before she was so humiliated/terrified she couldn't think straight and things spiralled downhill. Fortunately her parents asked some questions and a change of teacher saw her on the way to uni with good marks in a few years. Things worked out ok for her ('cept for being lumped with me, poor woman) but I wonder how many other kids that "teacher" fucked up? A return to the old days/ways isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Some teachers were completely unsuited to teaching

[nakedsv]

It is sad that many bright children seem to fall through the cracks because they don't learn in the "normal" way. I had a learning disability when I was younger, was still at around a 5 year old reading age at 8, luckily for me my mother worked in early childhood education and got me a tutour to figure out how my brain learned. After learning a few tricks and figuring out my brain i was quickly well ahead of my age group in reading and math.
All through high school I saw many others that were basically ignored simply because they couldn't learn easily from the teachers chosen method.

[awa355]

I have a 7yr grandson who is Autistic. At school he gets treated like the school idiot. Even with a teacher aide, he has his moments. He is really bright intelligent boy, but dosen't always see the reason to do the same things as main stream children. Toilet training was especially hard.

Sometimes I wish I could take him and keep him at home away from the world. A hundred years ago a child like Cam would have possibly been taken off his parents and put into a lunitic asylum. Thank God those days are gone.

We had some wonderful teachers back in my day, but also some that were viscious bastards. I remember one boy in std2. the teacher was always picking on him. Knocked Richard to the floor one day, then kicked the lad several times untill he had crawled out of the room. Half the class were crying. Back then the teacher got away with it. At least today, there would be some acountability.

[Brian d marge]

I have a 7yr grandson who is Autistic. At school he gets treated like the school idiot. Even with a teacher aide, he has his moments. He is really bright intelligent boy, but dosen't always see the reason to do the same things as main stream children. Toilet training was especially hard.

Sometimes I wish I could take him and keep him at home away from the world. A hundred years ago a child like Cam would have possibly been taken off his parents and put into a lunitic asylum. Thank God those days are gone.

.

My oldest

couldnt figure out why he just wasnt picking things up . then we found ( through the state ) a teachers aide. So once a week on thursday he went to this place where he learnt at his own pace. Then after a year of this special treatment ( at the same time they were thinking about the best way for teaching him) They just said , hey , hes ok , his brain is developing and he has twice as much to learn as others ( english , japanese , kanji etc ) and the doors will open in their own time .
So , with his teacher ( who often pops around to our house to have a chat ) , the boy doesnt get homework if he doesnt want it and the test are designed for him , to "test " understanding. Hes a very bright kid ( Is the only one in our house that can get the DVD to work !) but under a "traditional " educational system , yes , well .......

Now, I see myself in him and , while it is too late for me , ( explains a lot though , !) its great that schools have moved on from the days of Creakle and tthe one legged Tungay ( Dickens )


Stephen

[Ocean1]

Well, we all got by in the old system - kids with learning problems aren't stupid. Someone with dyslexia might put a word in for how we cope, tricks and strategies. Dyslexics trick someone else into reading something for them....I trick someone good at maths to do a sum for me, makes them feel good, and I get the answer I need.

I got away with learning just half of the times table, breaking every higher order problem down into ones that fit my smaller understanding, and then stitching it back together again. I could do that fast enough that it looked like I had the full set.

One day I needed the bigger numbers, for a project I was interested in. I picked up almost all of the rest pretty quickly. I was interested.