09-24-2007, 08:34 AM
Quote:
Austrailia's Herald Sun poll of 100 high school students aged 14 to 18 revealed more knew what a Wii was than the date of Australian Federation.
Fewer than 50 per cent knew the square root of 81 or could define an isosceles triangle.
Loading music on to an iPod was a cinch for 94 per cent, 82 per cent could send and receive pictures from a mobile phone and two-thirds knew what a zip file was.
But just 39 per cent knew Melbourne hosted the 1956 Olympic Games.
And only 35 per cent knew the difference between a verb and a noun.
Victorian Principals Association president Fred Ackerman said students were losing touch with Australian achievements and culture.
"We need to make them relevant to these young learners and current and future generations," he said.
Business Council of Australia spokesman Patrick Coleman said the test results proved there was a need for greater focus on the basics, particularly literacy and numeracy.
He said thousands of school leavers would find working life tough unless they brushed up on their skills.
Fewer than 50 per cent knew the square root of 81 or could define an isosceles triangle.
Loading music on to an iPod was a cinch for 94 per cent, 82 per cent could send and receive pictures from a mobile phone and two-thirds knew what a zip file was.
But just 39 per cent knew Melbourne hosted the 1956 Olympic Games.
And only 35 per cent knew the difference between a verb and a noun.
Victorian Principals Association president Fred Ackerman said students were losing touch with Australian achievements and culture.
"We need to make them relevant to these young learners and current and future generations," he said.
Business Council of Australia spokesman Patrick Coleman said the test results proved there was a need for greater focus on the basics, particularly literacy and numeracy.
He said thousands of school leavers would find working life tough unless they brushed up on their skills.
source
its a small sample size, but troubling nonetheless...and i bet its not just Australian students...
