This question goes to the teachers and professors. Why do we teach kids things that they don't seem to need?

Question

I am a graphic artist and I knew that I was going for that field about age 11. I am now 34 and have a good job designing web sites. But do you think I would have been at this point earlier in my life if all through high school and collage I was able to purse art instead of learning history and binary math? This question can also be fielded for other professions beside my own. Also I do not use history or binary math at all in my current work or my personal life. So was it a waste of time or not?

Answer 1

Speaking as a college professor who has taught classes literally from accounting down to web design, let me say this. People don't always know what they're going to do later on in life. I've changed careers several times in my lifetime, and have moved into other things beyond my majors in college. And so as professors, a big part of our job is to prepare our students for whatever awaits them beyond school.

True, many students will love us to simply give them what they need to know for their majors, but in reality, there are plenty of benefits to learning other things like history, art, psychology, etc. that aren't in one's major. What these things do is make you a more well-rounded person capable of seeing other points of view, developing insights into things you didn't know before, and being prepared for anything and everything.

As a graphic artist, history can definitely play a role in your job. How? By letting you know what may have worked effectively before in the past, thereby giving you something to work with in the future. And art history can give you some insight into how to draw something more appealing and creative because you can turn to the "masters" for some guidance. Art is one of those subjective fields where there's a lot of personal perception and attitudes, and so a historical perspective can give some valuable insight into how people have reacted before to similiar things, and how they might react today.

Math can come into play when it comes to using computer programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator. They have several "mathematical-related" features. For example, if you think you want to skew something 0.5%, that's math! And deciding between a 1024 x 768 or an 800 x 600 resolution is also math!

I think you are actually using these things in your current work without your even realizing it. And that's the case with many who don't initially see the relevance of such things until much later on.

Answer 2

It wasn't a waste of time at all, instead it made you a more rounded person. Face it, the average person changes majors something like 3 times now. It's great that you stuck with what you want to do, but with increasing class sizes and school sizes, teachers can only do their best to equally prepare each child for the future and give them as much information as they will need. Universities have core cirriculum for the same reason, to make people well educated and rounded. Taking a variety of classes in English and History will make it easier for people to socialize or read a variety of subjects. In addition, if you have kids or ever plan on having kids, anything that you remember in biology, science, or history class, I'm sure will come in handy.

Answer 3

oh i don't think of you're weirdo , i understand how this experience . urm , i became interior an identical project as united statesand....i actually have a good time with his classification . I felt undesirable too , because he has a spouse , and also a daughter . i only can no longer help myself , he's so so so suitable , and as i understand , there is not any incorrect with liking someone , no count number number who's he , suitable . yet i in no way informed a soul about this , only take it , and enjoy . if he have a spouse of regardless of the truth that , then save it for your self , until eventually you actually favor to have a lengthy-time period courting with him , only flow , it is your existence . perhaps , you ought to love him as a professor , in reality a desirable professor =D

Answer 4

having a general understanding of a lot of things makes life more interesting. plus you can make educated decisions on all aspects of your life, not just your career. do you really want to be the guy at the party who has nothing to talk about besides work. while it might not seem like it learning all the "useless" stuff early on makes it easier to comprehend more information as you get older. while you might not use binary math on a daily basis there is probably other stuff you learned that you might not even realize you use. it is never a waste of time to increase your knowledge.

Answer 5

My students ask me a similar question when we begin to learn how to balance chemical equations.

I tell them that although most of them will not ever have to balance an equation after college chemistry...doing them teaches them other more important skills.

These skills are trial and error, problem solving, persistence, the feeling of accomplishment when you meet a challenge. These skills cannot be taught and reinforced too many times. They are life skills.

Answer 6

Knowledge is power. The most useful course I took as an undergraduate was one ... outside my major .... that I took because it sounded interesting and it was offered when I was free. And I've used the knowledge in the course a lot in my professional life.

Answer 7

You have still not realized that it was the elementary schooling that has made you capable of moving around. The basics help one and all in all fields of life, only one does not realize it.

Answer 8

well roundedness, they need convo pieces to express the teachers. more teaches more ingrown systems of learning. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!