Aymmetric motivation
Man in a Shed often reads and receives commentary from an engineer called Jim Pinto, who's expertise in the automation industry - where MiaS has a passing interest also. But he also comments on wider issues, and this one struck me when I was reading it this morning.
Its the concept of Asymmetric motivation - basically saying you can't simulate hunger - in relation to a lack of motivation. A lot of the things in his description of the US policy of 'no child left behind' sounds a lot like current UK government policy.
So the same key question could be asked of our education system - where is the motivation for our children coming from ?
Anyway - over to jim's article below: ( link to his full email here ).
- US EDUCATION DECLINES THROUGH ASYMMETRIC MOTIVATION
The US education system continues to fall behind. America ranks
16th among 27 countries with democratic governments when looking
at the percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds who complete college.
US students have become soft when compared against those of China,
Russia and India. This is yet another twist on the old "asymmetric
motivation" theme - "You can't simulate hunger".
With the "No Child Left Behind" policy, the US has tried to correct
the situation by forcing schools to meet performance metrics. A few
years have been spent trying to bring students' math and reading
skills up to basic levels by having them pass standardized tests.
Failed schools may be restructured, while non-performing students
may receive free tutors and be moved to new schools. No one sees the
basic point - motivation is not there. Many students are more
interested in MTV and iPods. They'd rather be rock-stars and sports
heroes; few want to be "nerds" or "geeks".
India and China can't be ignored - they are like elephants in
the living room. They have 40% of the world population, have rich
cultures and histories, and aspire to superpower status. They have
growing middle classes that are major global market, and are major
producers. Both have made information technology and the Internet
their high priority.
The proliferation of software companies in India, and high-tech
manufacturing in China, is a key demonstration of rapid human
development through technology. At the same time millions in
Eastern Europe and the Far East are also waking up, and they
are giving the rest of the world a run for their money.
America's salvation is its eclectic population, the winning
drive of its entrepreneurs, plus the upward mobility of hungry
immigrants who are building a place for themselves in the
American dream.
Related Links:
US students lack hunger:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/12/us_education_spellings/
Is the U.S. really falling behind China and India in education?
http://tinyurl.com/aof5t
U.S. falls behind in education:
http://tinyurl.com/yppa25
