I got to thinking about this, and the more it's been bouncing around in my head, I think it should be addressed.

There is a push in my local school system to force highschool kids to take certain classes as an adjunct to the Ontario school curriculum.

The idea is to articulate the basics (Print literacy, Science, History, Math literacy, and Physical Education), with other courses that are non-traditional (Media Literacy, health/Sex ed, Money management, Computer literacy and Home Economics).

I think it's a great idea, totally. However, I know of a LOT of people that will get upset about these additions: mainly because of the costs, but also because of the Sex Ed. perspective, and the Media literacy and the percieved biases.

Media Literacy:
I think that in this day and age, where everything is pretty much being sold to you, you need a media literacy course. Kids are impressionable, I totally understand, but I find it very bothersome that the whole conspicuous branding=cool ideal has taken hold. Personally, if you like a brand... great, but do you really need to be a paying billboard? Also, I've heard a lot of clattering from people about the "Liberal media." Personally, I think the Idea that the media is "liberal" is a bunch of right wing "bull@!#$." Being objective isn't about swaying one way or the other, its just the facts ma'am. Let editorials give you perspective if you can't figure your own out.

I think kids need to figure out their own perspectives before they buy into anyone else's ideas hook, line and sinker... Maybe that's just me.

Sex Education
Sex education I think is another thing that MUST be taught to kids. I know that the rate of unwanted pregnancies is much lower here in Canada, and I think that this is because kids are getting taught about it at a very young age (usually around grade 6). This is great, an educated child won't have to worry about an unwanted child and will be at far less risk for STD infection/transmission than an uneducated child.

I know that there will some people that think this is a bad idea, and this will be because of religious upbringing, and that's fine... for credits, there will be a make-up recourse, but otherwise, this isn't something that should be left dangling. I will say that every option available (abstinence, family planning, Birth control, abortion etc.) should be laid out bare, and obviously, the preferred option for the prevention of STDs and the avoidance of unwanted pregnancy should be abstinance.

Another focus, and while I will probably sound odd in this, should be pornography. Now, before I raise hackles, I don't think that kids should be shown it in class, nor should they have to "research" it.... far from it. I think, though, that it should be discussed for what it is, what it isn't, and why it exists. My personal thoughts on it aside, I think that it's become such a part of today's culture that it should not be ignored.

Money Management
This is a course that I really, REALLY wish I'd had in Highschool. Seriously, I think kids are just going to get lured into the financial crack-cocaine of high-interest loans and credit cards without it.. I know I did...

I'm not advocating giving every kid a CPA course, but really, Learning the basics of:
-Budgeting
-Regimented savings
-Compounded interest calculations
-Amortization of mortgages, and
-Basic money investment and strategies

would really help keep kids out of financial troubles in their working life or higher education.

I think that in this day and age where money is a commodity that is hard won and easily lost... this isn't something that should be ignored.

Computer literacy
Okay, another one that I'm not advocating we give a computer engineering course in, but it is necessary for the coming years. I've seen on this very board (okay... mainly in OT, but nonetheless) instances where a little bit of knowledge would have helped out a little.

I'm not talking learn to build your own computer from the micro-transistor up, I'm talking:
-Learn about phishing schemes and how to avoid them
-How to verify your security levels
-How to manage information so as not to get overloaded (ie search techniques)
-How to keep your privacy and information safe.

This isn't something that is going to get into the minutiae of computers, it's general strategies to keep yourself and your information safe. I can think of no better way to keep teens safe (other than keeping the kid's computer in an area where you can SEE them on it) than educating them about the Net, and about it's advantages, pitfalls and it's wonderous anonymity veil.

Home Economics
This will probably draw naught but a little interest, but really, it's not meant to be anything more than the way to teach kids about how to look after themselves by learning to read food labels, how to balance their diets, and basically how to keep their homes clean and livable.



So, what do you all think?




Transeat In Exemplum: Let this stand as the example.

I understand where the school is trying to go with this, and agree with them.
I hope it just doesn't get like my college.

I have to take all these classes to be a "a well rounded student."
Example I had to take "urban studies", because I am Calcasion. Now if i was African American i would have to take "European culture."
I believe that these classes do not need to be mandatory.
My friend Derron agrees with me totally. We both think it is un-nessisary.

But back on point, I know some people in the community here would be in an uproar because of it. Mainly from the sex ed.




PRND321 Till I DIE
Old Motor: 160whp & 152ft/lbs, 1/4 Mile 15.4 @88.2
M45 + LD9 + 4T40-E, GO GO GO

Yeah, that's why there's an alternative credit because sometimes people refuse to acknowledge this thing called reality.

I don't get why you'd have to take "urban studies" or "european culture"... I'm not European, and I've lived in the city... but whatever... if that's what they want you to do, then you don't really have an option right? If its an elective, you should be able to opt out of it and into something else. I'm all for fostering tolerance, but that's rediculous because unlee you're taking sociology or some related discipline, it's pretty much useless.

When I was in Univ. the oddest thing I think I took was cryptology or Astronomy. Crypto, I was out of my depth, it was interesting, but I took a course that was WAY too advanced for my mathematical comprehension.

Any thoughts on the media literacy course?



Transeat In Exemplum: Let this stand as the example.

I really wish they had money management in high school....otherwise I wouldn't be in debt as much as I am. I didn't know the difference in paying the minum amount because at the time I thought that would drop my balance but it was really paying the interest...stuff like that would have helped me tons. Seems like my CC will never get back down.



www.kronosperformance.com / 732-742-8837

I really think these should be basic corses too, but the problem is when you have to fit them into a day. Unless you make the day longer, you will be cutting into some other speical classes the kids could of elected to do, such as shop, tech-ed or something like that.

But i think Media Literacy and Money mangament could be wrapped into one semester long class, and should be a mandatory class for seniors.

Sex-ed and computers should be a freshman class, if not younger



Promise that forever we will never get better at growing up and learning to lie

GAM (The Kilted One) wrote:Yeah, that's why there's an alternative credit because sometimes people refuse to acknowledge this thing called reality.

I don't get why you'd have to take "urban studies" or "european culture"... I'm not European, and I've lived in the city... but whatever... if that's what they want you to do, then you don't really have an option right? If its an elective, you should be able to opt out of it and into something else. I'm all for fostering tolerance, but that's rediculous because unlee you're taking sociology or some related discipline, it's pretty much useless.

When I was in Univ. the oddest thing I think I took was cryptology or Astronomy. Crypto, I was out of my depth, it was interesting, but I took a course that was WAY too advanced for my mathematical comprehension.

Any thoughts on the media literacy course?

I had to take it, it was manditory. I am in Mechanical Engineering.




PRND321 Till I DIE
Old Motor: 160whp & 152ft/lbs, 1/4 Mile 15.4 @88.2
M45 + LD9 + 4T40-E, GO GO GO

^^ See, that's weird... you're in a mathematical and physical engineering discipline.. WTH does "urban studies" have to relate to it?

Personally, I'm wondering when the term "urban" became synonymous with "black"?




Transeat In Exemplum: Let this stand as the example.

as said before, you have to take it to be a "well rounded student"

I ended up taking Japanies studies or something like that, absolutly worst class i've ever taken. We spent the first two classes listening about air currents over japan.

But I agree that there are tons of pointless classes. They just want you there longer so they can keep taking your money.



Promise that forever we will never get better at growing up and learning to lie

Well, I preferred taking subjects that related to my major, and the fact that I got out of there with a masters in 4 years instead of 5-6 is nice.

I did take a bird course or two in art appreciation and basic furniture design... but other than that.. I was a Major Geek.




Transeat In Exemplum: Let this stand as the example.

GAM wrote:Media Literacy

Should be a required course to help broaden the views of the younger on the current marketplace/business environments.

How to avoid scams and the old bait and switch of sorts.

GAM wrote:Sex Education

Here I disagree. Although it should be class that is offered, I think it is more up to the parents of the child to teach them about sex. It may be a great supplement but not a requirement. If only a parent could own up to the responsibilities of being one.

GAM wrote:Money Management

Right now I wish I had taken Accounting in High School. Now Im paying a college to give it to me. This should definetly be a requirement helping coming of work age youngsters to handle there own finances and understand what its all about.

GAM wrote:Computer literacy

Computer Literacy I dont think should be a required class but it should be a recommended one. A student should already know how to do the majority of what you are speaking of before reaching High School. Search techniques and privacy are key points.

GAM wrote:Home Economics

Just plain old NO. Home econ should NOT be required. Although it teaches fundamentals on how to manage the household. The majority of kids learn this as they grow older anyways.


____________________________________________________________________

Madjack wrote:Like I said before, building an engine like ours (2.2 or 2200) is a painstaking chore , since there is so few custom made parts. It's frustrating to me too, but that's what I like about doing this engine, it's the challenge.

I look at Sex Ed as something parents AREN'T teaching kids, and they're more than likely passing on bad information. I remember hearing one kid saying virgins can't get pregnant, and that girls can avoid getting pregnant by standing up after.

Home Ec/computer lit. is a similar thing... I've worked in the industry, and a lot of people can avoid most problems really easily and simply... either they don't know, and don't know how to learn, or they don't care to because Tech support is a crutch that's always there. Similarly, I've known a LOT of people (guys and girls) that could have benefitted from a little Home Ec so they could at least learn to feed themselves properly, and know how to do simple clothes mending tasks and other house-hold things.

I'd say make most of the classes mandatory for one class, (with the exception of sex ed, I think it's something that should be learned gradually over the years... just my opinion) and then after that, you can go on, or do whatever.



Transeat In Exemplum: Let this stand as the example.

my views on required classes:

Sex ed:

i think this should begin from even younger ages--like 3rd grade, but ease into the topic. The sad fact is kids are getting molested at younger and younger ages, and they aren't being educated for the pretense of "saving their innocence". personally, i'd rather have my child's innocence lost by finding out about the birds and the bees and sex crimes at a young age rather than having their innocence lost and the end of some pedophile's penis. While it's the parent's job to teach this, i think it's something that should be continued from the young ages up through high school--with more emphasis on protection and prevention rather than "good boys and girls don't do this".

Media literacy:

All that would take is a parent reinforcing that 99.9% of everything you see on TV is bull@!#$.

Money Management:

I agree with this one--you can actually tie it into math and economics.

Home Ec:

Make it required for a year in middle school, but make it more useful--hell, you can tie it into money management if you're smart.

Computer literacy:

Something that could be incorporated into every study--and including basic troubleshooting.


Goodbye Callisto & Skaði, Hello Ishara:
2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD
The only thing every single person from every single walk of life on earth can truly say
they have in common is that their country is run by a bunch of fargin iceholes.

KOTL wrote:Make it required for a year in middle school, but make it more useful--hell, you can tie it into money management if you're smart.

At my old school it was a required class (yes I took home ec) but now I dont remember jack they taught me. And now that I think about it it was rolled in with money management cause they taught me how to write checks and balance a checkbook.


____________________________________________________________________

Madjack wrote:Like I said before, building an engine like ours (2.2 or 2200) is a painstaking chore , since there is so few custom made parts. It's frustrating to me too, but that's what I like about doing this engine, it's the challenge.

As I remember, it was part of home ec to balance a budget and cheque book...

I mean more as a primer for investment.



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I think GAM has an opinion and it should be a class in schools in canadia. Just in canadia.


Ergo we will call it Gaminomics. It will be the only 3 hour class evar. And his teaching assistant will have breasts the size of watermelons.





_________________________________________________________________
in the mean time i suggest you check out http://www.ratzero.com

for a forum where there are no rules, visit
http://www.emor8t.proboards41.com that is all.

I don't see why anyone would have a problem with these classes. It would be nice if the parents would teach their kid but many don't or simply can't since they don't know. The scheduling might be an issue though, but you could roll the into one class since most of the suggestions are not intended as indpth courses. One less semester of history would not hurt anyone. I think some basic automotive care should be taught also I am sure there are people who wouldn't even know how to use a tire pressure gauge.



AmazingJay

Emor8t: That'd be a good start.




Transeat In Exemplum: Let this stand as the example.

English, you live here speak it, dont expect everyone else to cater to your lack of education, it is inconcievable to me how ppl can live in this country and not even able to speak it, if you cant properly communicate you shouldnt be allowed in the country as a citizen period

Sex ed- its a public health risk, ppl need to learn what to do with thier bodies, Right wing conservatives need to shove the bible up thier ass and realize stupid ppl are a health risk to everyone. When that congressman the bible thumper pays for that cheap hooker to cheat on his "family" and catches a disease, we'll see how what "vales" they have.



1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85

Rodimus: In a country with a 28% functional illiteracy rate, I'd think most native-born Americans need as much help as immgrants

http://www.caps.ucsf.edu/sexedtext.html <-- Regarding Sex Ed.



Transeat In Exemplum: Let this stand as the example.

yea I agree even those born here cant speak it right , just listen to mtv for about 10 min



1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85

MTV is basically a slang derivative matt, not everyone is gonna talk like the speaker of the house. when it comes down to, when they need to speak proper english, most know how to....


i agree on all the listed above, but we also need a class on common logic aka common sense 101...

start small, like if you stick finger into live socket... large ouchie occurs...


sadly, i am being serious, mainly because so many people do things, and never think a step ahead in life.

I honestly think most people could learn something by watching a couple of foamy rants.

Common sense ain't all that common.




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Common sense isn't so common...


Goodbye Callisto & Skaði, Hello Ishara:
2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD
The only thing every single person from every single walk of life on earth can truly say
they have in common is that their country is run by a bunch of fargin iceholes.

I was using colloquialism to convey a point

Pardon the illoqaciousness of my previous discourse. I meant not to offend your vernacular sensabilities but to merely permutate my idea with home-spun plain speech.

If my statement offended your pointed and clearly languid sensibilities, please accept my furvent and heart-felt apologies as that was not my intent nor my aim.

Excelsior.



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^^^^^^HAHAHAHAHA

Oh its sad that i knew almost all the words in that statement

Media: Definatly, show the progression from early media to today, show bias in news casts, for both sides

Sex Ed: It's manditory in our school, you get it in 5th grade, and again in 9th grade, and they dispell all myths, and you get a disease (do a report) Mine was Trichomanisis

Money Managment: YES

Computer Literacy: Not only scams but also basic trouble-shooting...like using the help menu

Home Ec: Another requred class 7th grad=Cooking 8th grade=Sewing

Yeah...thats about all....i agree with GAM