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I'll say it.....I don't think schools want kids smart.
Do you ever notice how many "simple" and common things (like excel)....schools somehow seem to "neglect" or miss? Why is that?
Excel in the business world is like tying your shoes. But somehow it hasn't quite made it into the cirriculum. Hmmmm?
There's always an excuse or qualifier.....a computer class is an elective. Or there aren't enough computers. Why isn't it integrated from the start?
-Why aren't computer/technical skills part of the graduation requirement now for highschool?
If schools were smart, they'd be intergrating technology from elementary school. You could see your old grades, test scores, etc in a program like excel. Everything would sort of integrate.
Ummmmm....most good schools already do this...grades are posted online. Most of our kids' homework is done/turned in online (reduces paper by a LOT). I don't know of a single high school kid that doesn't have computer skills. As for specific programs like excel, I have to agree, it isn't something kids use every day in most majors in college and businesses will have their own programs to use inside of Excel. The kids are smart enough that it will take a couple days on the job to learn what they need to know. Schools can't be everything for everyone. They are there to give kids a foundation and college and the work force and then teach them the specialized things they need to know.
I'll say it.....I don't think schools want kids smart.
Do you ever notice how many "simple" and common things (like excel)....schools somehow seem to "neglect" or miss? Why is that?
Excel in the business world is like tying your shoes. But somehow it hasn't quite made it into the cirriculum. Hmmmm?
There's always an excuse or qualifier.....a computer class is an elective. Or there aren't enough computers. Why isn't it integrated from the start?
-Why aren't computer/technical skills part of the graduation requirement now for highschool?
If schools were smart, they'd be intergrating technology from elementary school. You could see your old grades, test scores, etc in a program like excel. Everything would sort of integrate.
How many schools are there in America? Many DO integrate technology into their curriculum. We've had online grading for a number of years. Our kids have computer classes throughout the buildings and they are mandatory for all. This is just a slightly better then avg. school district, not a magnet school.
I, too, would prioritize ensuring functional literacy across the board before worrying too much about mandatory Excel tutorials. Being unable to read, speak, or write in a manner befitting a professional isn't exactly advantageous when seeking employment, either.
How many schools are there in America? Many DO integrate technology into their curriculum. We've had online grading for a number of years. Our kids have computer classes throughout the buildings and they are mandatory for all. This is just a slightly better then avg. school district, not a magnet school.
Are computer/technical skills part of the graduation requirement?
Some kids pick up computer skills on their own.....but, isn't there a "digital divide"? The middle class or rich kids are better with computers than poor or immigrants? Wouldn't integrating technology lessen that divide?
It's not really excel that's the problem. It just enables kids to *think* differently and more efficiently about something. They have a little bit more command over information or a set of numbers/data. It's like a pair of tools in a toolbelt.
Most schools are still in this world of big lumbering textbooks....this 2012. You'd think textbooks would have gotten slimmer years ago, or altogether eliminated. They'd be as outdated as the slide rule. I think excel is part of this phobia of change....they can't change away from this textbook and desk model. I don't know why else they wouldn't teach it to everyone.
Excel today is as common as paper and pencils were 50 years ago...you'd think it'd be integrated all through school. What you leave highschool with would be no different than the working world/private businesses.
Again, even if we're looking at HS as purely job skills prep, not every field is dependent upon copious amounts of spreadsheet-making, or requires Excel training beyond the scope of what can be easily learned on one's own.
Excel today is as common as paper and pencils were 50 years ago...you'd think it'd be integrated all through school. What you leave highschool with would be no different than the working world/private businesses.
The importance of Excel is being grossly overstated in this thread. I know absolutely no one who uses Excel often at work. These are people in all kinds of different professions, too.
Schools need to be focused on kids being able to read, write, and do math. Schools that are not considered "the good" schools have enough trouble with that. Reading, writing, and the ability to do even basic math is much more important than Excel.
The importance of Excel is being grossly overstated in this thread. I know absolutely no one who uses Excel often at work. These are people in all kinds of different professions, too.
Schools need to be focused on kids being able to read, write, and do math. Schools that are not considered "the good" schools have enough trouble with that. Reading, writing, and the ability to do even basic math is much more important than Excel.
Conversely, I know many people that use excel as a major part of their job every single day. Having a rudimentary knowledge of Excel going into the workforce is a good thing, the company can hone the skills as needed.
Of all the things kids should learn in school, Excel is the one of the least of their problems. If a student is on a business track, by all means s/he should learn Excel. But other kids? Do they really need it?
In my department we use Excel to move information from our donor database to a Word mail merge. We also use it to keep track of vacation time. That's about it!
The only people here who use it fully -- not just entering information into cells -- are the budget folks.
The TI calculator is used to speed calculations that students learn to do the hard way (by hand). They use the TI during the test, which allows more problems to be solved in specific amount of time.
Sure Excel could be used too - but it requires a computer. And in most schools most kids don't have a laptop of their own to carry to class.
I question the statement in the original post "Since this is probably the most useful skill someone in the workforce can have" completely. I use Excel everyday and have for years. But most of the people I have worked with for over 35 years only need Excel occasionally. For many people Word is far more important.
Thanks. I thought it was an odd statement. In some workplaces, that may be true, but I need to make an Excel SS once or twice a year.
I'd really like to see the high school concentrate a bit on teaching kids to READ and SPELL before graduation before they worry about Excel Spreadsheets.
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