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1316 days ago

Are "Learning Skills" effective"? What about TEACHING?

Robin Hicks from FOCUS Learning Centre Napier

We see much being made of "Learning Skills" lately in our education system. Sadly we are also seeing huge drops in the standard of achievement. This is borne out in international testing, and I'm sure, from your own experiences with your children. I hear it all the time, especially since Lockdown... "my kids can't DO anything!" There is nothing wrong with these trendy new "skills", except they are totally ineffective if the children don't KNOW anything! And sadly that is what we see regularly. You simply can't "problem solve" or "think critically" or "make connections" if you don't have a sound basic knowledge base to build this higher thinking on. Even "Communication" is of questionable value if you don't have something of substance to say! (unless, of course, you want to be a politician! ;))It appears our school systems are developing a high proportion of children who cannot read or write correctly and effectively; physically and/or creatively, who struggle with basic maths, and who have little to no general knowledge. The research on the critical nature of all these in a child's cognitive development is overwhelming! but far too often the response these days seems to be "there is an app for that"! Hardly surprising kids lose confidence and show minimal resilience!
The answer, however, is very simple: TEACH them! Build a strong base of knowledge and skills! Letting young children "work it out for themselves", being "taught" by other students who really should be being enriched and challenged in their own learning, or simply plonking them in front of a screen continues to prove to be a dismal failure for all but a few.
Here at FOCUS we teach kids. Computers are OK for practice, but NOT for learning... we believe that is the job of TEACHERS.

More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 84.4% Yes
    84.4% Complete
  • 14.1% No
    14.1% Complete
  • 1.5% Other - I'll share below
    1.5% Complete
1360 votes
1 day ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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16 hours ago

Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

How can the number four be half of five?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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