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I've always been fascinated by the philosophical divide among the nations with the best educational systems. Some (i.e. Finland) deemphasize tests, while others

I've always been fascinated by the philosophical divide among the nations with the best educational systems. Some (i.e. Finland) deemphasize tests, while others such as India and South Korea place strong emphasis on them. The issue is not black and white enough for us to categorically embrace or condemn tests. Different cultural and environmental factors are obviously in play.

adamnemecek 12y ago
Idk if the Indian educational system is considered the best (I'm actually pretty sure that it's not). As for the South Korean educational system, idk if it should be considered a model to follow considering kids there spend like 16 hours a day in school but perform comparatively well as kids in Finland who spend maybe less than half of that time in school.
- hawkharris 12y ago
  Idk if the Indian educational system is considered the best (I'm actually pretty sure that it's not). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Institutes_of_Technology http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Institutes_of_Technology As for the South Korean educational system, idk if it should be considered a model to follow considering kids there spend like 16 hours a day in school but perform comparatively well as kids in Finland who spend maybe less than half of that time in school. The point is that the children who learn through standardized tests are performing just as well as, if not better than, those in an environment where tests are deemphasized. Having said that, it's hard to make the cross-cultural argument that standardized testing is always positive or negative.
  - adamnemecek 12y ago
    Yes, I'm aware of IIT. That does not really disprove my point though. Your argument is similar to if someone was said that Mexico is a poor country and someone made a counterargument saying that Carlos Slim Helu lives in Mexico ergo it's not a poor country. > The point is that the children who learn through standardized tests are performing just as well as, if not better than, those in an environment where tests are deemphasized. Kinda hard to argue with this if you are not providing what sort of metrics you are using.

adamnemecek 12y ago

Idk if the Indian educational system is considered the best (I'm actually pretty sure that it's not). As for the South Korean educational system, idk if it should be considered a model to follow considering kids there spend like 16 hours a day in school but perform comparatively well as kids in Finland who spend maybe less than half of that time in school.

hawkharris 12y ago
Idk if the Indian educational system is considered the best (I'm actually pretty sure that it's not). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Institutes_of_Technology http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Institutes_of_Technology As for the South Korean educational system, idk if it should be considered a model to follow considering kids there spend like 16 hours a day in school but perform comparatively well as kids in Finland who spend maybe less than half of that time in school. The point is that the children who learn through standardized tests are performing just as well as, if not better than, those in an environment where tests are deemphasized. Having said that, it's hard to make the cross-cultural argument that standardized testing is always positive or negative.
- adamnemecek 12y ago
  Yes, I'm aware of IIT. That does not really disprove my point though. Your argument is similar to if someone was said that Mexico is a poor country and someone made a counterargument saying that Carlos Slim Helu lives in Mexico ergo it's not a poor country. > The point is that the children who learn through standardized tests are performing just as well as, if not better than, those in an environment where tests are deemphasized. Kinda hard to argue with this if you are not providing what sort of metrics you are using.