The problem with talking about Mr Gove is that it is difficult not to say things that go against forum expectations. Furthermore, there's little positive that one can say...
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Slightly sidebar, but Gove has always reminded me of Mime in Rheingold and Siegfried. I can just picture him burning the midnight oil with his red boxes, finally flinging them down in impotent frustration with a cry of 'Zwangvolle plage! Muh' ohne zveck!'Comment
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But I think his actions are more deliberate - like Alberich in Das Rheingold.Comment
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Thinking a little more about this, I would support any politician of whichever ilk if they promoted the teaching of history. Not spoon-feeding and remembering dates or events but developing the skills and abilities in pupils to be able to (a) research effectively and in depth and then (b) challenge whatever they uncover.
There is a huge amount of information now out there on the web. The results from Google are often biased and elevated up the listings as a result of payment to them and not on merit or by their original yardstick of 'relevance to the enquiry'. We must encourage our children to dig deeper.
Much of what is then uncovered is inaccurate, biased, prejudiced or downright poisonous (delete as appropriate) and so we must teach our children to challenge whatever they read and to form their own views.Comment
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Actually what you describe (BTS) is how GCSE history is taught, the process of history rather than history itself
which is interesting if you compare this to music as GCSE music is about the practice of music rather than musicology (as O level was), though one could do with both approaches.........Comment
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But is history a core subject? It certainly wasn't under Labour as far as I can see but will be with Mr Gove...and so full marks to him.Originally posted by MrGongGong View Post
On what do I base this? Why this from a pro-Labour website http://www.labourlist.org/give-schoo...y-restrictionsComment
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Seconded. History is just as important as English or Maths in that it's uniquely able to teach children to think for themselves, discriminate between differing points of view, challenge opinions and detect bias. Spoon-feeding thankfully went out a long time ago with the result that History is now one of the most popular choices at GCSE. That doesn't mean, though, that the "story telling" element should go as most young people love the romance and drama of the subject, not to mention the blood and guts and pits overflowing with plague victims!Originally posted by BetweenTheStaves View PostComment
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I have realised that I made a slight but serious Booboo when I started this thread. I referrred to the English Baccalaureate (an invention of the Gove using the old O-levels) when I meant the International Baccalaureate as being a good thing. The important difference is that the IC is a wide ranging and flexible curriculum which is internally moderated at assessment stages which is rigorously moderated externally. Instead of five core subjects there are eight areas or groups. I quote: "The programme consists of eight subject groups integrated through five areas of interaction that provide a framework for learning within and across the subjects. Students are required to study their mother tongue, a second language, humanities, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical education and technology. In the final year of the programme, students also engage in a personal project, which allows them to demonstrate the understandings and skills they have developed throughout the programme." This allows more choice for students whilst preventing the wholesale dumping of subjects at 14 years of age which limits their future flexibility and development. The system is used in many other countries and is very popular in British Public Schools either as an alternative to or in parallel with O-Levels for more able students.
I attach the Middle Years pages from the International Baccalaureate Website which apply to the age range (11 to 16) Gove is currently fiddling with:
Of course, it gives access to the whole IB site.
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Yes, but the problem with the IB is that it penalises those who excel in one area - say, science, or arts - yet who struggle with another - say, mathematics. When I was at school one of the other boys was an absolute genius at maths - by 14 he was way above the sixth form and talking pure maths with the HoD who was ex-Oxford. He wasn't good at languages and was, IIRC, useless at art, just as I am! He is, of course, now a recognised and wealthy genius with several lucrative interests, all revolving around mathematical applications. Would he have managed an IB? No.Comment
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I have nothing against the English Baccalaureate in principle - just the irresponsible way Michael Gove, in his arrogant way, went about it, effectively creating league tables retrospectively. That's evil.Comment
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In the example you cite, Simon would his taking part in the IB have prevented this lad from becoming a genius and wealthy?Originally posted by Simon View Post
Very doubtful that it would.
So .... your point is....?Comment
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Well, certainly it's worthless and stupid!effectively creating league tables retrospectively. That's evil.Comment
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"Academies" and "Free schools". An utter con that is certain to end in tears.Comment
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doesn't really matter to the folks in charge of the tory (and liberal) party, though.Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post
Their kids will still go to the best schools and universities, which is the main thing.I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own.
I am not a number, I am a free man.Comment
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But they will care when they try to defend the shambles at a subsequent election.Originally posted by teamsaint View PostComment
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