tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37309767.post4185617918238744596..comments2024-01-04T13:54:21.297+04:00Comments on Social Science in the Caucasus: Maths in Armenia | comparing through TIMSSHansGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02363857450625734125noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37309767.post-10118747272298199682008-07-09T14:09:00.000+04:002008-07-09T14:09:00.000+04:00Well, differences in math could include word probl...Well, differences in math could include word problems versus "traditional" mathematics. I would imagine that in cultures where word problems are taught since early childhood (American), those children would do better where as "traditional" math problems would be more challenging for those children.<BR/><BR/>And with science, there are so many decisions about what could be taught! I think that human anatomy is very very important, for example. Does any country teach that? <BR/><BR/>In American schools, the 9th form might be biology, then 10th form chemistry, then 11th form physics. In Armenian schools the get a bit of each in every form. This is just so different!Katyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13504569894671446535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37309767.post-41678489988343037822008-07-08T22:37:00.000+04:002008-07-08T22:37:00.000+04:00I agree with your comment that 16 is too young to ...I agree with your comment that 16 is too young to graduate, especially if momentous decisions need to be taken at that point. Unfortunately, some of higher education here feels like an unfortunate continuation of secondary schools. <BR/><BR/>Boys and girls and school performance, all sorts of reasons. I really wonder about that, and would love for someone to do more research on the topic.<BR/><BR/>What do you mean with measuring science or maths " as it is taught in some cultures as well"? I would think that this stuff is pretty fixed (although of course there are inveterate relativists out there).xcaucasushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03601943503579408752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37309767.post-28656109855416668252008-07-03T16:21:00.000+04:002008-07-03T16:21:00.000+04:00Some argue that TIMMS doesn't do a good job measur...Some argue that TIMMS doesn't do a good job measuring "science" or "math" as it is taught in some cultures as well.<BR/><BR/>With boys and girls scoring differently, there could be a lot of speculation on this -- girls generally do work harder in school and perhaps at these ages, they are working hard in order to do better to get a spot at university? Perhaps boys don't feel as pressured for this? And perhaps boys cram for their university entrance exams right before they take them while girls are constantly preparing?<BR/><BR/>This also leads into a discussion of Armenia's final school year being year 10. IMHO, 16 is too young to graduate. When I am at the university here in Armenia, I am shocked at how immature the students (especially the boys) are compared to American students (ages 18-21 rather than 16-19). Is it just the age difference? No, it is also the system. But I wonder if one more year in school, like most of the world does, might do Armenian young people some good.Katyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13504569894671446535noreply@blogger.com