After watching 2 Million Minutes, what are your thoughts about how American education differs from other parts of the world? In your opinion, how does education in other parts of the world compare and contrast to education in America? Do you think American education should be more like education in China and/or India? Why or why not?
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I think that Americans take education for granted a lot, and students in China and India almost can't get enough of it. Also Americans really value extracurricular activity outside of the classroom. In other countries especially India and China, Education is generally the only thing that is considered important for success. I think education should be more like India because based on the representative students, the indian students still had time to play around a little bit more than chinese students.
ReplyDeleteI think the movie explained Americans lack of motivation well. Americans do not have as much motivation, because our country does not struggle as much with things such as hunger, cramped living conditions, and low-paying jobs. I really think we need the motivation, and until that motivation is there I don't think our education system will change much. On another note, I work at a montessori academy and our school has a high population of Chinese and Indian students. I deal with the age range of 3-5, and most of my indian students go to other schools such as Kumon after leaving our school. One little girl in particular just turned 4 and she frequently talks about all her homework that she has...we do not assign homework. I have talked to many parents about how they feel about their child's education, and the general response is that someday they may have to return to their country, and with such high populations their children really have to strive to stand out. I really don't think America ever really could have education systems like China and India.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Dana Porter...
ReplyDeleteI agree that America really does value extracurriculars, but i think China and India does as well. One of the girls in the movie spent hours practicing the violin. I just think that our extracurrulars differ.
To Nicole,
ReplyDeleteThat's very true I guess I overlooked music as an extracurricular, which it really is, although she said that she was wanting to have that as her backup major program if her first program doesn't work out. I think a lot of how the education systems are in other countries revolves solely around their culture. It seems that the Chinese are already disciplined in all areas because that's the way it has always been. Students in America seem to be more independent and because of their independence they may not learn discipline nearly as well as the other students.
I agree that American students lack motivation, is that because of our education system or our culture. Our education system is flawed in some ways but I also think that there are some very good opportunities here. The cultures that the movie showed were so completely different from ours and I began to wonder what the suicide rate was in those countries. So I of course googled it. Here are a few of the web sites I found interesting. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/5907368/Wave-of-suicide-sweeps-Chinas-graduate-class.html and http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/india/2010/01/08/239882/Spate-of.htm
ReplyDeleteThe suicide rate in both of these countries is very high. How is that compared to the US? Suicides in the United States rank in the top 10 reasons for death however education is not one of the causes.
I feel my son is getting the best education possible. He attends Immanuel Lutheran School. He is in the 2nd grade and has been playing the violin now for almost 2 years. He practices every evening. In a couple of months he will also begin piano. This is all his idea because he loves music. So we as parents foster that love as much as possible. I will continue to help him in anything that he decides to do in life.
In the end yes India and China are leading in education but at what price.
Education is a very important thing in our world. We need to educate our youth to build a strong and well rounded world. In the other countries, they focus on education to such a large degree, the kids do not get the chance to be kids. Their countries will be ahead in the number of engineers and scientists, but what happens to those who do not want to pursue one of those professions? I am an artist with all of my being. I would not be able to survive being a scientist or an engineer! The students study to earn professions in a work field that will make their parents happy, and that will make them the most money. I would rather do what I love everyday of my life, than have a job that I hate that pays me a bunch.
ReplyDeleteI think America is lax with education in some cases, but I don't think we need to be as focused on school as the other countries. It is such a huge sacrifice to ask of the youth of the world to give up their childhood to act like adults. You will be an adult three times longer than you will be a child, so there is no reason to take that time and make it even shorter. We are a strong country without the year-round, 8-hour days, schooling.
I absolutely agree Katie. Well said.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite obvious by the movie that there is a big difference in Amereican education and education in other parts of the world. All the countries have students that work hard and recieve good grades, but by the video it looks as though the other countries work harder for their grades than Americans do. I personnaly do not think the education system here should be the same as those other countries. Yes that good of an education is awesome, but when do they get the opportunity to be kids and have even a little free time? To me the movie made Americans look extremely careless and in a way like a bunch of air heads, which i didn't really like. Not that the education system here doesn't need some change, but I don't think it needs to change so drastically that kids have absolutely no free time.
ReplyDeleteKatie i can't agree more! Yes education here needs some change...but not so much that kids loose their childhood time and experience!
ReplyDeleteI think the movie just showed the truth of how American students truely do not understand the value of education and how lucky we are that it is so available. Students from other countries strive for excellence in education and I feel America puts athletics, for example, at just the same level, or sometimes higher than academics. Given America's resources, we should have higher scores and be more like other countries in the sense of education being such a high priority. American students just try to get by, not pushing themselves to the highest they could be.
ReplyDeleteKatie P,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you that childhood is a very important level in someones life and they should be able to live it to the fullest. Other countries may put more emphasis on education, but I agree that all of the children should be able to choose their future that is best suited for them, not necessarily their parents.
I think we as Americans have more of a choice, our high school isnt set up to perpare us for whatever job we intend to have. For instance the guy for India said he was going into engineering because thats what his dad and sister did.
ReplyDeleteComment to Lisa, I had no clue about the suicide rates connected to education..
ReplyDeleteAs an international student, I can say that French education is really different for some point to the American Education. We don't have the same formation in France if we want to be a teacher (it's 5 years there and 4 years here). I believe that American education is better for this point: we learn more practical things than theorical we are more trained to do our future job then in some other countries. However the worst point in American education is, I think, the cost of studies. When in France a year is about 500$, here we have to pay 10 000$ or more which let the education not available to everyone. So i think that America should keep their education (Chinese education are too strict and I don't think it's a good thing) but American should be careful about the cost of universities which can stop education.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Darron Bardot, the fact that Americans have a lot of choices for their studies is a good thing because for example, in France, our high school is more like general education, we can't really decide to specialize in a job there and even in universities if we go to a geography major we can still be a teacher. I think this is not good because in geography major (for example) students are not trained to be teacher. Here you can specialize and that's good
ReplyDeleteThere are many differences between our education system and the systems of other countries. However, to look at another country's education system and decide that that is the best system for the US without looking at the cultural differences is very silly. Something that struck me as very interesting was that the girl from China was applying for early acceptance to Yale; she wanted to come here.
ReplyDeleteThat's not to say that I don't think people here should be more disciplined in their studying habits. After class last week I tried to make myself sit down and wade through some of my homework so that way it would be done early. (The movie made me feel like a slacker, and I didn't like it.) I was miserable. I wasn't used to studying for extremely long stretches of time, and because of that I actually started to dislike having to homework in classes that I generally love.
The US does need to step it up a little, but I don't think modeling our education system after another country's is a good idea.
In response to Katie
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with what you said about childhood. That's the time to be a kid!
I agree with Katie. I would hate to have to do something that I didn't love everyday. It would be miserable. Childhood is a very important time in your life and you should be allowed to have fun and be a kid.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time saying that one or the other systems of education are better or worse, simply because the cultures are so different. I mean, the American guy they talked about was a semi-finalist for the National Merit Scholarship, but he said he got there without really working hard, and yet, his chances at getting a job are probably quite a bit higher than the Chinese student who was top of his class and spent hours and hours studying every day. The Chinese and Indian cultures make such rigorous education a necessity, but here people aren't pushed as much as they could be, because they don't have to be.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't think that any of the educational systems are ideal; the Chinese and Indian seem to put entirely too much value on purely scholastic achievements and don't really leave room for other activities or just enjoying childhood, as I know several other people have mentioned. On the other hand, I think there is plenty of room for American education to set higher standards without being a detriment in any way to students' extra-curricular activities. I guess we're just seeing two opposite ends of the spectrum, and it might be better if both were a little more balanced.
I don't know if the education system in Japan or Europe would work in the US. It is so much more demanding and I don't think the kids, or the parents would like it.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Katy Davis:
ReplyDeleteI didn't really care for being made to feel like a slacker either. . .I wonder, if everyone here was more competitive about academics, like those from China and India seem to be, would we work harder? Or since we've been accustomed to only exerting a certain amount of effort on school all our lives, would we simply give up because we wouldn't want to spend all of our time doing homework?
In response to Katy Davis - I felt the same way; I hate feeling like a slacker. But it made me wonder. . .if we had the kind of academic competition here that they do in India and China, would we work harder to keep up and just be miserable all of the time? Or since we've been raised with expecting to only do so much school a day, would we give up on all of that homework?
ReplyDeleteOops - didn't mean to post twice in response to Katy. Evil computer.
ReplyDeleteI think it is sad that students care that little about academics in American. In China and India they said that it was a means to get a career, that is the same here, but we also have different ways to get jobs and that is what most people count on.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Sarah Tegarden...
ReplyDeleteI think you are absolutely right. American students care the same if not more about sports than they do about academics. Also we don't use everyone of our resources to the fullest. America, I believe, is very lazy when it comes to academics and would rather do something more entertaining.
I think America's education differs a lot from other countries because it shows that the students take their education for granted, and it shows that they don't have motivation to really succeed. In my opinion, I believe that other countries enforce education a lot more. Other countries enforce education as an important aspect in the students lives. I think that America's education enforces a lot more of athletics, and other things. I do think America's education needs to be more like China/India's education. America's education needs to enforce that there is competition out there, and there is always going to be someone to possibly take your spot.
ReplyDeleteI think the video really emphasized the lack of determination of American students. It also gave a good point of view of other countries and how they view the Amercican education. American education compares in one way that I can think of, that is that some parents push their children and make it a big goal to have high standards towards their schooling. I think that American education needs to e pushed harder like Chinas education and India's education is, it is the childrens number one priority and it needs to be moved up because it is very important. If you look now majority of our jobs are going to india and China. My brother is at Mizzou studying to be an industrial engineer, and hearing the boy from India talking about everyone going for engineering is kind of scary to think about.
ReplyDeleteA lot of posts talk about the extra activities that americans do outside of school, although I agree we pay too much attention and time to them I think they can be a good thing. It is another sense of learning I feel students in China and India lack, it is healthy competition, learning to work with others, and a way to make friends with the same interests. I believe it is and could be healthy fo them.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Jessica...
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. I think that education does need to be pushed harder here in America. I have a younger brother and it scares me that there are already kids deciding what they want to be in the future. My brother is worried about playing outside, and the football team.
I think America could afford to improve on our Education system a lot. I know a lot of kids who have just done the bare minimum to get by and have gotten very good grades. I think though, that we lack a lot of the same motivations that a lot of other countries have. In America, you can get by with very little education (although not as well) where as in other countries its either get a good job or be poor your entire life. Without having to face hardships like that, we tend to take education for granted here.
ReplyDeleteAs for the people who are against stricter schooling because of the fun it would take out of childhood, I don't see any reason we couldn't find away to incorporate learning into a way children could still have fun. As much as childhood is a time for enjoying our selves, its also the time when the mind is most open to learning new things. For example its easier to learn a foreign language when your six as opposed to sixteen. While the Indian and Chinese students did seem to work a lot, I didn't think that either of them looked extremely unhappy.
ReplyDeleteBonnie,
ReplyDeleteYou are right! I felt like a slacker as well. It is interesting that many students who are in these other countries come here for their education. They want to compare their schooling to ours. I think they are searching for the life that they should have had when they were younger, here in the US.
I have always heard that students from other countries are smarter then students in America,but when I saw the video it really made it more so real. It amazed me how much the Indian girl studied, it was like she didn't take a break at all and the American girl talked about having study parties and taking multiple breaks. I think we value education but in other countries it seems as if it is taken more seriously. I think we can try to be more discipline like India and China but school is just not meant for some people or we are just too lazy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anna that Americans do the bare minimum to get by. Some people rather just settle with a low paying job rather than reach their full potential. He have it a whole lot better in America and dont have to think about being the best so we can survive like people in poorer countries.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get to see it!!! i'm bummed, I've been really sick...but don't worry i'm over it all now. I did read the paper and it really made me interested and wanting to know more about the different teachings in the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Danny. Because when I grow up and have kids, I wouldn't want another country teaching them. I do think we should share and learn different cultures but stay within the US.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the 2 Million Minutes video, it makes me feel like Americans are lazy and don't care as much about our education as other countries do. I know that isn't true, but the video showed how Americans still have time to socialize and do other things where Indian and Chinese students seem to make school/studying their life. I thought it was crazy that one of the girls mentioned being at a tutoring session at 7:00/7:30 AM on a Saturday! I can't imagine waking up on a Saturday that early, especially to do more school work.
ReplyDeleteI think in some ways American education should be more like education in China/India in some ways, but not all. I think life should be fun and you should take some time for yourself every now and then, but I also think we should spend more time on our academics and studies.
In response to Anna Harkins..
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. It is so true that some people barely have to put forth any effort to receive good grades.
I also believe we could do with some more motivation. I think you brought up a very good point about jobs and education when it comes to different countries.
American's seem to take their education for granted. Most American children don't have to work for what they want in life, so why work at school?
ReplyDeleteYes to and extent I think American children should have to devote so much time to study and school work.
To: Katie P
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should educate our kids to not take free education for granted.
I think that our education compared to other countries is scary. Many kids don't take their education seriously, but really how many people are pushing them to be. It used to be a priority for kids to get their homework done as soon as they got home, but really how many parents enforce that now-a-days? It's an all around fault for everyone because there are barely any people trying to change this and barely any kids trying harder in schools. We should be able to succeed as a nation and be a tough competitor to other countries.
ReplyDeleteTo: Katie P.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should teach our youth to not take free public education for granted.
@ Josh Fender
ReplyDeleteI agree, kids should be spending a certain amount of hours on school work and more if needed. It's hard however, because America offers so many other things for kids to get hooked on or involved in. We are not like the Chinese colleges in which you have to be incredibly smart to get in and study 15 hours a week just to take entrance exams, our college selection is based on well rounded students.
i feel american children get alright educatin but i know most americans do not put enough tme toward school work, but come on thse kids across seas do nothinggg but school work. like those children should have a childhood.. get involved in music, clubs, sports or something other than their heads in their books all day everyday.
ReplyDeleteThe differences from American education and Chinese or Indian education is that Americans don't spend nearly as much time studying and I think that American students take their education for granted. Some American students have so many things to distract them than the Chinese and Indian students. I would expect the drop out rates for American students to be extremely high compared to the Chinese and Indian students. I think American education should not be more like the Chinese or Indian education systems because from the movie, it seemed like the students from India and China wished they had more freedom. For an example the one boy from India wished his school had a soocer team so he could pursue soccer. Being an American student, I would not change a thing.
ReplyDeleteTo Josh..
ReplyDeleteYes i agree that amerians do take school for granted. some kids just come to school and sleep and could care less what grades they get. kids across the country would just loveee to be going to school for free but kids here are like whatever.. im here because i ahve to be here..
In response to Sarah Tegarden
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the statement you made of American students just trying to get by. I knew so many people in highschool who didn't care about doing well in their classes but just passing them so they could graduate.
I feel that education in other parts of the world is taken far more seriously. Americans don't take their educations as seriously as they should. I think we have such an easier time going through school than other countries because we are given a lot more than what they have. they want to work hard to improve their quality of life while we are more content with ours. I think we definitly need to change our education system a little bit more like china and india because they are already surpassing us in nearly every area of study.
ReplyDeleteto Josh..
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on how American kids don't have to work for a lot of what they have so why bother working hard in school to make good grades
After watching the video I was shocked in how much time China and India spend doing homework and being in school. I was just blown away because I dont think there has ever been a time where I have gotten up on my weekend and said I need to see a tutor at 6 in the morning. it was just crazy to me but at the same time it makes sence. I think that Americans should be more interested in schooling and I do think we are way behind other countries because of the social life and aspects that we are suppose to live up to. I think American education should change somehow someway!
ReplyDeleteAfter the start of this video I feel like American students are lazy. None of us would ever study that much and our social lives always come first. It disappoints me how much less time we spend studying compared to China and other countries. I feel like we should study just as much. America will soon fall behind and I don't feel that it is something we would want. America is falling behind its standards, or we need to raise our standards.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Chris Wacker...
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your though about how China and other countries are trying to improve while American are just content with the way things are. If Americans don't soon change their ways then we will soon fall behind the rest of the world. We shouldn't be content with the way things are but we should strive to be better.
I would have to agree with what jessica morelli said on how having so many extra activites becasue that is a good way for children to become sociable and make friends but school is also very important as well!
ReplyDeleteAfter viewing this video, I believe that the Chinese and Indian cultures have better attitudes toward education than the typical American learner. However, I strongly think that this is not our educators' faults. Our schools are more than equipt to teach students everything they need to know and more... if only the students would choose to apply themselves instead of getting by with as little as they can. Therefore, I hold the belief that the problem is not in the educational system, but in the culture in which we live as Americans today.
ReplyDeleteIn respose to Michelle Spencer:
ReplyDeleteI felt the exact same way when I saw just how much homework they do in the China and India educational systems! The definition of dedication must mean something completely different to all of these cultures. The thing that gets me is... those children find it normal and not burdensome to do so much homework, but if the typical American teen had to do that much, they would probably never be able to finish it because of lake of endurance and dedication.
When I was watching the film Two Million Minutes, the children in America were able to choose the paths that they wanted to go on. With the kids in India and in China they are not given as much freedom and are just expected to do what society tells them to do. I do feel that the hard work and determination that the kids in India and China will pay off with the task that they choose in life. I think that if you limit a child in life and you don't let them choose their own path. I do feel that we should adapt some of the work habits that China and India have such as the harder work and more challenging classes, also the respect that the kids over in china have for their teachers and elders. I feel that if you give children to much freedom then yes they do have the chance of making the wrong decision. I just feel if you have kids the option to choose with boundaries they can have the same work ethics.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Deanne Glenn.....
ReplyDeleteI do believe that American schools have the same potential that schools in China and India give their kids. The only problem is that kids in American are given to much cushion to limit their learning. If kids in America could develop the same work ethics that the Chinese and Indians have then we could have people with determination that the other countries have.
The movie definitely showed a comparison between the amount of effort put into school and the overall focus of the students. The Americans don't have the rigoruous study habits compared to China or Asia. They're school life is more based areound the extracurricular activities like sports.. i think it would be a good idea to make the course load more challenging.
ReplyDeletein response to Danny Zammit.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying. One of the things we as students sometime expect out of teachers is an unlimited amount of grace.