A level results - kids getting brighter for the last 27 years or dumbing down?

[daizie]

My daughter said Universities check for plagiarism, everything has to be handed in on CD rom .

[Townleygreen]

Coursework is on its last legs in schools.

It is being replaced by "Controlled Assessment" where the kids cannot do any of the work except in front of the teacher. No chance for parents to get involved at all. No way that teachers can help them either - at least in the last stages where they are writing it up (and that's where the marks are).

That is apparently starting this year at GCSE.

You cannot used purchased essays in an exam, obviously.

[dulwichmum]

Dear Townleygreen,

That is my point exactly - you cannot use purchased essays in an exam. Bring back exams (and not exams using multiple choice, computer marked questions) inspire students to learn with a broad curriculum, and do not simply teach to the exam.

With regard to Universities checking for plagiarism, things are tightening up. This year, many more institutions are using tools such as Turnitin for the very first time. Some universities check for plagiarism, some don't...

[Ladymuck]

I got my 10 yards certificate in swimming (sorry - couldn't resist)...but I still can't really swim

[Tony.London Suburbs]

I'm sitting here doing a CV for a 31-year-old friend from London.

She wants help with all the multi-choice questions but she only has to re-take one module to gain a decent Degree.

Something doesn't quite add up.

[Huguenot]

DM, you know that boys are much better than girls at exams? I didn't know you were so down on the fairer sex?

[The Chair]

This is veering off-track a little - tempting, I know! It may be lounge bound before long unless the argument goes back to the original premise.

[daizie]

It all depends on the student, the university, and the degree . I dont know any low level students that some of you do, so my experience is different .

[dulwichmum]

Huguenot Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> DM, you know that boys are much better than girls

> at exams? I didn't know you were so down on the

> fairer sex?

If course work is actually carried out by a darling child working diligently towards the A level/GCSE or whatever, then I would applaud the argument for continuously assessed course work. However, if a candidate's science project is actually carried out by a father who is a consultant haemotologist and a mother who is a pharmacist (OHMYGOD), then I have a tiny issue(ette) with the final marks (gasp).

I suppose that no system is above abuse (sigh), but the current system seems to be heavily stacked in favour of children with pushy professional parents (checks out glossy manicure).

This of course is simply my humble opinion, and it is well known that I am an air head.

*Flounces off to check out Net-a-Porter*

[Moos]

If boys are better than girls at exams, then maybe it's a fair rebalancing of the results!

[SteveT]

When my two were at school I got sick of hearing the term hot-housing, then some time later on a ferry to Ireland I got chatting to an aged but wise Nun, she said if you are born a dunce, you will die a dunce.

That has proved to be the truth of the matter, because all the money on private education does not change anything very much, and they are what they are, one of which is chatty and easy going, the other finds it difficult to talk to people.

The most important thing is when it comes to employment,

can they get along with people,

can they take on and finish a job,

are they dedicated to their task?

[dulwichmum]

Great point SteveT.

With regard to boys being better than girls at exams, if this is a scientifically proven fact, well then there will, no doubt, be some form of super swishy mathematical equation that could be applied during moderation of the said exam papers in order to achieve fairness between the sexes.

In the same way that these special swishy mathematical equations are applied (I should imagine) in order to eliminate the marking differences between "dove" and "hawk" examiners at University level...(bats eyelashes)

I shall go and lie down for a while as all of this talking about serious things is bringing on one of my heads... Perhaps I shall pop over to Fenwick for a quick spot of self-gifting, that always makes me feel better!

[daizie]

SteveT Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> When my two were at school I got sick of hearing

> the term hot-housing, then some time later on a

> ferry to Ireland I got chatting to an aged but

> wise Nun, she said if you are born a dunce, you

> will die a dunce.

>

> That has proved to be the truth of the matter,

> because all the money on private education does

> not change anything very much, and they are what

> they are, one of which is chatty and easy going,

> the other finds it difficult to talk to people.

>

> The most important thing is when it comes to

> employment,

> can they get along with people,

> can they take on and finish a job,

> are they dedicated to their task?

Lol, so very true SteveT.

[Timster]

Might it be rash to suggest that being able to string a sentence together and a degree of intellectual rigour are also necessary in most jobs which A-levels and degrees are supposed to prepare you for?

[Townleygreen]

I think A levels are still pretty good, and taking away the coursework, which as Dulwichmum correctly says is pretty rubbish, will only make them better.

What worried me was a headline I saw over someone's shoulder in Wednesday's Mail - to the effect that a beautician diploma (recently encouraged by our beloved government) was going to be worth 3 and a half A levels!!!!

What on earth is that all about?

Take me back to planet Zog, or what?

[dulwichmum]

TOP TIP

The Daily Hate Mail is a comic, it does not contain news.

[Jeremy]

Townleygreen Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> What worried me was a headline I saw over

> someone's shoulder in Wednesday's Mail - to the

> effect that a beautician diploma (recently

> encouraged by our beloved government) was going to

> be worth 3 and a half A levels!!!!

I think this must just be tabloid rhetoric. I can't imagine someone with a beautician diploma being accepted onto a BSc (or even a BA ;-)) course.

[SeanMacGabhann]

That Daily Mail article in full

[daizie]

I wouldn't worry, a diploma will never be as highly regarded as A Levels .

[dulwichmum]

I don't agree. A university diploma is a step before a degree, the next step to a masters, then a PHD etc.

[Moos]

I agree with DM - we'd benefit from an education system whereby practical and vocational subjects are as highly regarded as academic ones, and result in qualifications of equal value. Equal, but of course different. In Germany, for example, a school-leaver can start an apprenticeship as a banking officer, a hotelier or a furniture-maker and will combine practical paid work experience with studying subjects relevant to their vocation. The furniture-maker, will study book-keeping and wider economics, as well as learning the art and craft of designing and making furniture. The qualifications gained are highly regarded and hard-earned. It's a far superior system to expecting 50% of all young people to spend 3 years in full-time academic education or else be regarded as under-qualified, and it is much more respectful and encouraging of different types of skills and intelligence.

[daizie]

Bring back National Service that's what I say !

[daizie]

I agree - in a fair society, qualifications for non-academics would be lovely .

[SteveT]

We would all benefit from an educational system where the teacher was estimed and the class in front new there place, where the word discipline had value and any disruption in the room was punished so effectively it became a rarity.

We would all benefit from having a system which could accomodate all the students, and parents did not have the anxiety of praying for a space in a school which was 'well thought of' rather than the dreadful place which is on offer.

[daizie]

SteveT, this does still exist in England, however, mainly Private or outer London ..