Brainy pandemic children

soulstyledevon said:
Some of the young lads we’ve had come through. Totally useless.
They have no comprehension on how things fit together or work.
Basic stuff like drilling a wall or using a hand saw, they haven’t the foggiest.
Click to expand...
A common feeling from employers.

The German T level instead of A levels is long overdue to give credibility and meaning to technical learning.
 
soulstyledevon said:
Some of the young lads we’ve had come through. Totally useless.
They have no comprehension on how things fit together or work.
Basic stuff like drilling a wall or using a hand saw, they haven’t the foggiest.
Click to expand...
I recently watched two millennial graduates put together an IKEA bookcase. Comical.
I was actually quite shocked that neither of them could use a screwdriver.
 
willwander said:
I recently watched two millennial graduates put together an IKEA bookcase. Comical.
I was actually quite shocked that neither of them could use a screwdriver.
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I am totally, absolutely, 100% pathetically useless at anything involving tools and I'm afraid IKEA or anyone else's self-assembly bookcase would be way beyond my abilities.
 
SusiBus said:
On reflection, we did what l suppose would now be considered wasting curriculum time, doing such things as how to use wood and metal working tools, and technical drawing. Naively perhaps, I consider these life skills which have proved much more use to me than algebra.
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Were you able to learn woodworking as a life skill during A levels rather than for an exam?
 
andyinluton said:
Before covid I gave work experience to a couple of 6th form students.

The maths teacher came round to see what they were doing & commented that I was the first person he had seen that was actually letting the students do something meaningful & applying things that they had learnt.

They were measuring with a scale rule off drawings, a set of parabolic vaulted arches & trying to work out the surface are, & then subsequently trying to calculate quantities of the constituent parts needed for mixing up & applying lime plaster.

Most of their classmates were sitting in various estate agents playing on their phones.
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Sounds great. I was banging fence posts in on the Bolton Abbey Estate. Loved it and learned about timekeeping, the value of good humour, and why we needed to wear steel toe boots!
I’m pleased to say my company took on 4 apprentices this year. They are paid enough to leave home and cover their own bills, and should receive an engineering degree in 5 years, from their 3 days a week day release from the office. No debt at the end. I was lucky and received a grant, but I’d be looking for an apprenticeship if I was 18 again.
 
Universities are now so dependent on the throughput of students at >£9k each per annum, that the whole system seems geared to maintain those student revenues regardless of students suitability for University life.

A real problem that many Universities have is when a student drops out after 1 year (and many do), the institution then has irreplaceable revenues for years 2, 3 and 4.

So, by lowering pass marks or inflating grades just to ensure the University entrance numbers (and revenues) are achieved, a great disservice is being paid to many of our youngsters.

Just my opinion but not everybody needs to go to University. Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Vocational qualifications, etc, etc, should not be seen as any less valuable than a degree.
 
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GrumpyGranddad said:
Just my opinion but not everybody needs to go to University. Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Vocational qualifications, etc, etc, should not be seen as any less valuable than a degree.
Click to expand...
An interesting graph plotting the rise of university students.

Whilst the circa 50,000 a year going up to university in the 1950s was undoubtedly elitist and needed opening up to others it does beg the question whether close to 50% of kids benefit from degrees now, especially with the cost implications. No wonder the state couldn't continue to fund everyone. It seems every town has a former college with a university name or tie in now.
https://images.app.goo.gl/3GpYNk2qLY2dkqQW8
 
OGII said:
An interesting graph plotting the rise of university students.

Whilst the circa 50,000 a year going up to university in the 1950s was undoubtedly elitist and needed opening up to others it does beg the question whether close to 50% of kids benefit from degrees now, especially with the cost implications. No wonder the state couldn't continue to fund everyone. It seems every town has a former college with a university name or tie in now.
https://images.app.goo.gl/3GpYNk2qLY2dkqQW8
Click to expand...

And all those lovely polytechnics are now "Uni's"
 
Grade inflation is here to stay in the western cultures, this does not happen in Asia. I recently compared my chemistry and maths O level questions to last year's A level questions. I reckon the O level questions were a lot harder.
 
It’s not just the numbers that are mad, it’s the degree courses available. For example:

Fans of The Beatles are being invited to study for a master's degree in the Fab Four at the University of Liverpool.
Students on The Beatles: Music Industry and Heritage MA course will learn about the group's influence on popular music and culture, its programme leader said.
Dr Holly Tessler said it was "unique" because it explored the band's legacy.

Harvard offers one in Madonna studies.

Here’s a few more questionable courses.

1. Surf Science and Technology

Uni of Plymouth -This BSc (Hons) course examines the scientific, technical and business aspects of the surfing industry. But what's wrong with just watching Baywatch?

2. Stand-up comedy

Uni of Kent, Uni of Salford -Comedian Peter Kay honed his craft by taking this course while completing an HND at the University of Salford. So it's obviously no laughing matter

3. International Football Management

Buckingham Chilterns Uni Coll -Students learn about the running of the international game and get to visit clubs abroad. But you don't need to have a degree to do a better job than Sven

4. Brewing and Distilling

Heriot-Watt University -Lives up to the jibe about taking a drinking degree. It covers the A-Z of alcohol and is sure to have lots of ideas to try out at student parties

5. Golf Management Studies

University of Birmingham -This course includes three 10-week summer placements to improve "coaching and management skills". So it is not just about hitting balls around courses, then

6. Space Technology/ Planetary Exploration

University of Surrey -One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind and students. Many are over the moon at taking the course but the real thing isn't included

7. Wine Business

University of Brighton -Surely the dream of every student, the two-year course includes "wines and spirits of the world" and "wine sensory evaluation" - tasting to you

8. Economics and Gambling Studies

University of Salford -This BSc course is combined with business economics and examines gambling from a social, economic and cultural perspective. You can bet it is popular

9. Baking Technology

Uni of Wales Institute - For every student who has ever wondered how they get the jam into doughnuts. Many say that this course is the greatest thing since sliced bread

10. Stained Glass Window Studies

Swansea Institute -This BA (Hons) degree is an intensive three-year course specialising in the study of architectural stained glass. A real window of opportunity

I’m thinking of developing a 4-year course called ‘Understanding the Mechanical and Electrical Systems and Operation of the VW California’ and offering it to all dealerships.
 
@GrumpyGranddad I agree with a lot of this.

However I believe the Surf Science degree at Plymouth is a little mis-leading as the course has a lot of Environmental Science and Oceanography aspects to it. Unless it’s changed of course.
I thought about doing it 20 years ago when it first popped onto the scene.
 
GrumpyGranddad said:
It’s not just the numbers that are mad, it’s the degree courses available. For example:

Fans of The Beatles are being invited to study for a master's degree in the Fab Four at the University of Liverpool.
Students on The Beatles: Music Industry and Heritage MA course will learn about the group's influence on popular music and culture, its programme leader said.
Dr Holly Tessler said it was "unique" because it explored the band's legacy.

Harvard offers one in Madonna studies.

Here’s a few more questionable courses.

1. Surf Science and Technology

Uni of Plymouth -This BSc (Hons) course examines the scientific, technical and business aspects of the surfing industry. But what's wrong with just watching Baywatch?

2. Stand-up comedy

Uni of Kent, Uni of Salford -Comedian Peter Kay honed his craft by taking this course while completing an HND at the University of Salford. So it's obviously no laughing matter

3. International Football Management

Buckingham Chilterns Uni Coll -Students learn about the running of the international game and get to visit clubs abroad. But you don't need to have a degree to do a better job than Sven

4. Brewing and Distilling

Heriot-Watt University -Lives up to the jibe about taking a drinking degree. It covers the A-Z of alcohol and is sure to have lots of ideas to try out at student parties

5. Golf Management Studies

University of Birmingham -This course includes three 10-week summer placements to improve "coaching and management skills". So it is not just about hitting balls around courses, then

6. Space Technology/ Planetary Exploration

University of Surrey -One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind and students. Many are over the moon at taking the course but the real thing isn't included

7. Wine Business

University of Brighton -Surely the dream of every student, the two-year course includes "wines and spirits of the world" and "wine sensory evaluation" - tasting to you

8. Economics and Gambling Studies

University of Salford -This BSc course is combined with business economics and examines gambling from a social, economic and cultural perspective. You can bet it is popular

9. Baking Technology

Uni of Wales Institute - For every student who has ever wondered how they get the jam into doughnuts. Many say that this course is the greatest thing since sliced bread

10. Stained Glass Window Studies

Swansea Institute -This BA (Hons) degree is an intensive three-year course specialising in the study of architectural stained glass. A real window of opportunity

I’m thinking of developing a 4-year course called ‘Understanding the Mechanical and Electrical Systems and Operation of the VW California’ and offering it to all dealerships.
Click to expand...
Sound like categories on Mastermind!
 
 
 
Interesting comparison - the information that is missing though is what you had to score to obtain each grade on each paper.

Ive just shown those to my youngest who starts senior school in September so another 5 years till she would be sitting those exams.
She could answer 3Q from the first paper, 3 from the second and about half from the 3rd.

The biggest difference is that there are a lot, lot more questions to do in the latest paper & no option of not answering the one you don't like. It looks like there are some deliberately easy questions just to get you going but to get a decent score you would have to be able to answer most of the hard ones as well.

I wouldn't say that any of those papers are harder than the others. Obviously if you were brought up using pounds shillings & pence those questions would be a lot easier than for one. of todays children.

Despite having passes at A Level in both pure and applied maths I wouldn't fancy attempting todays A level paper without a healthy amount of revision.
 
GrumpyGranddad said:
I’m thinking of developing a 4-year course called ‘Understanding the Mechanical and Electrical Systems and Operation of the VW California’ and offering it to all dealerships.
Click to expand...
Draft syllabus:

Months 1-3: wait time to book vehicles in
4-6: vaguely feasible (but obviously wrong) initial thoughts on cause of faults
7-10: ordering parts/ returning parts
11-12 focus on customer service module (ignoring emails/phone calls/hoping VWCS step in)

Year 2: practical experience fitting and refitting control panels, leisure batteries and faulty entertainment systems.

Year 3: All things roof. 11 months on electric roofs, 3 weeks on canvas replacement, 1 week on manual roof

Year 4: 6 months replacing habitation issues, 3 months referring to VW technical department Germany, 2 months on bill enhancement techniques, two weeks on VW options ordering system, one week on best ways to display canvas outside a closed roof on forecourt, 4 days recap on recalls, 1/2 day evading questions from customers wanting extended warranty sales, 3 hours on product features, 2 hour factory tour, 1/2 hour product feature familiarisation (theory), 10 minutes: hands on experience in vehicle.
 
andyinluton said:
Interesting comparison - the information that is missing though is what you had to score to obtain each grade on each paper.

Ive just shown those to my youngest who starts senior school in September so another 5 years till she would be sitting those exams.
She could answer 3Q from the first paper, 3 from the second and about half from the 3rd.

The biggest difference is that there are a lot, lot more questions to do in the latest paper & no option of not answering the one you don't like. It looks like there are some deliberately easy questions just to get you going but to get a decent score you would have to be able to answer most of the hard ones as well.

I wouldn't say that any of those papers are harder than the others. Obviously if you were brought up using pounds shillings & pence those questions would be a lot easier than for one. of todays children.

Despite having passes at A Level in both pure and applied maths I wouldn't fancy attempting todays A level paper without a healthy amount of revision.
Click to expand...
Here's my A level maths paper; 3 hours, only 3 questions from Section B. Pen marks are my own from the exam, pencil marks are my estimate of score. My awarded grade was A.
maths1.jpg

maths2.jpg

maths3.jpg

maths4.jpg
 
Amarillo said:
I feel the same reading it. Teachers stuff all this stuff into your head, you sit the exam, then spend the rest of your life with the stuff melting back out of your head.
Click to expand...
It’s so true @Amarillo, when studying for my Engineering qualifications I learned all sorts of stuff that I have never needed in the real world.

For example the grain structure of Mild Steel before and after Case Hardening. Really useful !!!
 
GrumpyGranddad said:
For example the grain structure of Mild Steel before and after Case Hardening. Really useful !!!
Click to expand...
Could be if you were developing high speed rail.
My fluid mechanics prof designed an artificial heart.
In a lot of cases, you don't know what will be or is useful until you encounter the need.
 
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