• Question: There is argument that we don't learn useful things in school, and that some of the things we learn will never come up in our daily lives again. People use Science and Maths as examples such as the learning of isotopes and algebra. But seeing as your scientists I guess you disagree with this argument?

    Asked by anon-177607 to Urslaan, Nicola, Helen, Daniel, Becky, Andrew on 15 Jun 2018.
    • Photo: Daniel Marsh

      Daniel Marsh answered on 15 Jun 2018:

      One of the most important skills that you will be taught in school is how to think for yourself and not just how to repeat something that you have been told. You will learn how to compose a convincing arguement, find ways to test it and then present your results to others. You will learn how to work on your own and also as part of a team, how to communicate effectively and how to learn from others ideas. All of these are essential skills for your life after school, some of the jobs that you will do in the future have probably not even been created yet!

    • Photo: Andrew Singer

      Andrew Singer answered on 16 Jun 2018:

      No. I don’t disagree. I think it’s ovedue that we reconsider how we teach children. We live in a world where facts are at your fingertips, on the phone or ‘Alexa’. So, what’s the point of teaching children facts–teach children how to USE facts to answer questions. People should be taught to think critically. I will only disagree with myself to the extent that some fundamental knowledge is absolute: you need to know the building blocks upon which you can place facts. Yes, you can ask ‘Alexa’ what 10 x 13 =, but how will you know if she’s wrong unless you’ve been taught how to do it yourself? Moreover, who will create the next ‘Alexa’ if no one knows how to do maths???

    • Photo: Helen Littler

      Helen Littler answered on 17 Jun 2018:

      It is strange the learning that does crop up. I did woodwork GCSE which my school teachers weren’t happy about as it wasn’t very academic. When I went to university, we had to make models for testing and I was the only one in my group who knew how to use the equipment!

      You will learn things which seem irrelevant but will crop up in the future. Somethings you struggled with like Latin will become useful in a pub quiz! Or biology when you are doing I’m a Scientist

    • Photo: Urslaan Chohan

      Urslaan Chohan answered on 18 Jun 2018:

      It’s a sound argument. After all, I haven’t seen an equation like y = mx + c in a long time! So why learn it? It’s a bit like a toolkit. You have LOADS of tools in it, and sometimes you don’t even touch a tool again. It looks old and rusty. Yet you know it’s there, whenever you need it. Education is your toolbox in life. You may not use every single bit of it, but it useful to have it there when you need it. On top of that, the learning you do will help you to see the world in a completely new light and different way. You will be able to create sensible arguments and analyse the world around you in a more accurate way. It’s an investment, and the skills you receive will be valued for years to come.

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