Harold Said:

Lesson about Hitler - leads with all his accomplishments and class unwittingly supports him?

We Answered:

Surely that instructor read the wrong book... or he was one of H.'s followers.:(
Students can do little to get to the real truth, but their parents can invite them to read some other articles, books, etc to show them other points of view; in that case, such an instructor would be completely destroyed (of course, if all that was true)
Parents can be much more influential -if they want to-.

Mathew Said:

What are your opinions on "home schooling"?

We Answered:

Once again the normal dribble about home educating has been spouted - kids don't mix, it is only crack pot parents etc etc. This is rubbish!!!!

The vast majority of home educators give their children a perfectly good education. My niece was home educated from the age of 12, returning to a grammar school for the sixth form and then going to university. Home schooled kids do meet up with other kids - for days out, many play musical instruments and a member of an orchestra/music group, they meet up for art projects, sporting events etc and have as much time if not more with their friends.

She has friends of all ages and from many different areas all of whom are open minded, free of the usual teenage nonsense, streetwise and confident. Her knowledge base is much wider than those in the normal school, who have been restricted by the pathetic national curriculum. Her time is not taken up with useless subjects which are of no use to her - just to meet government targets.

She has had far more opportunities to try different things and learn other skills. For example, rather than being stuck in a school gym or running round a field for hours during a PE lesson, her exercise came in the form of swimming, sailing, wind surfing, playing hockey in the county team, hiking, cycling, learning scuba diving - a skill which could well help her in her chosen career.

Her maths, English and Science skills are far beyond those who went to the local school (but lets face it, that would not be difficult!). She is history mad and had the time to study this in far greater detail than would be possible in a school setting. Her IT skills are as good as anyone of her age, As she has not been stuck with school terms she has travelled widely - her favourite being the time spent in Egypt as part of her ancient history work.

Most home educating parents have access to home educating groups where parents get together to take their kids on trips to places of interest - which they incorporate into the lessons making the things they are learning about come alive

These home educated kids usually do far better at university - and many home educated kids go to uni, I know two in Cambridge, one in Bristol and many others dotted around the country, as they are used to doing research and working on projects etc in a style used by most universities. It is their school attending friends who have greater problems. These kids are also more open minded and questioning, not been bound to the narrow minded school syllabus which does not encourage independent thought.

Of course, this independent thought is not encouraged by the present government so this is yet another try on to stifle those who home educate. Many of whom have tried school and found that for their child it is damaging and not right.

Of course there are some parents who get it wrong and don't do a good job but just look at some of the schools! Rather than attack home educating parents surely they should be dealing with the lack of learning and discipline in the schools and putting that right but yet again, normal government practise, pick on a vulnerable group rather than dealing with the bigger problem!!

In short, meet a few home educated kids, see how they learn and compare their social life and opportunities compared with the kids in school - you may be very very surprised.

Lynn Said:

What can I do with a degree in elementary education besides teach?

We Answered:

You could work in a private school that isn't held to the same standards as a public school. Where I live, we have Bioregional Elementary Schools that teach the early grades (usually K-3) through nature.

If you had experience (and/or additional education) there would be lots of things you could do, like educational publishing, administration, guidance counselling, reading intervention or speech pathology.

You could also work for a museum or historical site to design and implement their educational programs. You could operate (or just work at) a daycare center or work with a group like the YMCA to develop after-school programs.

A lot of doors are open to you. I suggest you talk to an advisor at the Career Services department at your university. My school has several people on staff just to help Education students. They can discuss your options with you and make a plan to help you reach your goals.

Shirley Said:

what should be included in the new british lessons the government are planning?

We Answered:

1. The English Language

2. The Empire and the benefits it brought the world

3. The first and second world wars (World at War documentary)

4. Great Britains, Churchill, Newton, Shakespeare etc

5. History of the royal family from 1066.

6. English literature

7. The Industrial Revolution

8. Twentieth Century English Music

9. British Geography

10. National Sports and achievements

11. British Manners

12. British Laws

Brian Said:

Is it worrying that the government plans to sell of £16billion of it's assets?

We Answered:

Maybe if they spent 16 billion on blocking the channel tunnel...we wouldn't be in this bloody mess.