| From: | adambell |
| Date: | 22 Aug 2000 at 12:22:00 |
| Subject: | Re: OT GCSE Results |
>sorry, but kids in britain arent getting cleverer each year. fact is more
>rely now more than ever on extra means to get answers (use of calculators,
>open book exams etc etc)
I agree with that, but over the past ten years the world has become a very
different place and surely therefore exams and education in general needs
to change with it. Technological based areas of studies are more
popular. One thing I found when I was doing my A-Levels, teachers were
more interested in people doing classic subjects. I did Computing,
Technology, Electronics and Geography. The geography lessons were so
boring and stuffy compared to the others. Lessons need to involve more
measures to promote interest.
Technology has affected people too with more people watching TV and
playing computer games. If the exams didn't evolve, Britain would be
listed as one of Europe's Dumbest countries. Also in this country there
is too much emphasis on making sure that pupils have to suffer certain
subjects including Art and RELIGION. Why should pupils be forced to put
up with things like this. To broaden the mind? Hey TV might do this.
>GCSE's and A-levels are getting easier each year. you only have to take a
>1989 GCSE and compare than paper to one from 1994, then 1997, then 2000 to
>see this. same for Alevels.
Okay can you provide us with some examples.
>I dont want to undermine the exams....and anyone getting good results
>deserves a 'well done!!!' and good result! etc , however, the exam can
only
>test what students have been taught. And its because a lot has been sliced
>out of courses and curriculae that the exams have gotten easier, NOT
>because of the questions asking less taxing problems. THAT is the issue.
Probably true, but that is probably down to the teachers as well as the
exam boards. In my geography classes, we were always taught *a lot* more
than we needed for the exam. In other subjects we just stuck to the
syllabus defined by the examining board.
>eg, last year of O-levels (ah yes, those were the days), differentiation
>and integration were in the maths papers. 1st year of GCSE's, those
topics
The biggest problem with maths papers is that you are often taught the
biggest load of b*ll**ks ever. You get taught things that are of no
relevance to anything it seems. What is the point. I still have not used
much of the maths I learned at GCSE.
Exams are tricky things though. I hate them and love coursework. Other
people prefer exams to couresework. I can produce A grade quality
coursework for many subjects, but will not be able to match it in the
exam. The fact is this same talking point of exams comes up every year
and no solutions are suggested. Most times as well people say it without
any proof particularly on the news on results day.
Ad.
Quote carefully and read all ADMIN:README mails