Examples
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These are nontraditional teaching approaches
based on a pedagogical theory that a child can teach him/herself and peers, within limits. The
systems do not focus on tests but rather independent learning tasks that allow the students to
find expression based on freedom rather than a strict adherence to rules and standards.
Concrete, yet general examples:
To illustrate, consider the American chemistry expert who only studied science-related courses;
this person may be highly qualified in his field, but because he never studied the humanities
or
geography, he will have a difficult time understanding the ways of his Indian, Chinese, or
Brazilian colleagues. In the long term, this will be a liability that may overshadow his technical
expertise.
Take for instance, a young girl whose parents are both overweight; if her school does not educate
her on the consequences of poor dietary choices and she only learns about this aspect of her
life from observing her parents, it is very likely that she too will become obese and her health
will be at risk.
For example, a 40-year-old who is not adept at using application software on his phone, but
whose industry is moving in that direction,
may be replaced by a younger, more tech-savvy
employee who can provide the company with what it needs.
Facts:
According to the Times Higher Education Rankings (2014) of the top 100 ranked universities in
the world, 46 are based in the US (10—UK; 6—Germany).
In 2014, the graduation rate of high school students in the US and Canada was over 80%.
The number of people who speak (as a first language): Chinese (Mandarin)—900 million;
Spanish—430 million; English—339 million
English is spoken as a first or second language by 1.5 billion people.
English is the most used language on the internet but this rate is dropping: Chinese and Arabic
are climbing fast.
Terms:
Zero-tolerance policy
— a policy that does not allow for any exceptions when a rule is broken.
For instance if a person is caught bullying even once, he/she is to be expelled from the school
with no second chance.
3 strikes
— a term from baseball: when a batter is served three strikes he loses his turn to bat
again. A person in everyday life is given two chances. On the third
occurrence of a rule break
he/she is kicked out/disciplined.
Core curriculum
— the subjects all students must take regardless of school or location (English
math social science).
other:
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