2007-03-15 13:19:15 · 16 answers · asked by margherita 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
I guess you all missed it. The 5th graders are learning things that adults did not learn and they are not dumbing down education. Adults tend not to continue learning new things therefore the kids are "smarter". They are learning things that we never learned and at an earlier age.
2007-03-15 13:35:17 · update #1
Dumbing down refers to the educational system making it easier for kids to "pass" not to adults being stupid.
2007-03-15 13:40:33 · update #2
i saw a show on t.v. for the first time the other night and think i can give you an answer. words that are used today were not in use when i was in the fifth grade and so some of the questions seem odd. for instance, i never heard of cursive writing until i had children in school. we always called it penmanship. but , by the same token, most kids today have no idea what the difference is between a number and a digit. do you? well, it takes two or more digits to make a number.
2007-03-15 13:32:40 · answer #1 · answered by ribuckeye 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are so many problems with that show, I don't know where to begin. :) I have a funny feeling the kids are rehearsed before the show. They may not be told the answers, but they're definitely given refresher lessens beforehand. THAT doesn't mean the questions still aren't easy. The producers are also looking for people who are going to either not know the answers or are going to be willing to fake ignorance (or just plain old stupidity) for the sake of 15 minutes of pseudo fame.
With that said, there are also SO many problems with our current education system (not at all any one group of people's fault) that it's difficult to say we're dumbing down anyone. The reality is that our expectations have changed. Some expectations are higher than they should be because they're not developmentally sound, and some are lower because we (as a society) simply don't value the importance of things like common sense and respect anymore. THAT'S how we're "dumbing down" America....But you're right- those adults look like total idiots on that show. :)
2007-03-15 13:26:24 · answer #2 · answered by elizabeth_ashley44 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because it requires them to think back twenty years or more. Unless you have a photographic memory this is a difficult task. Do you think 5th graders can answer 1st grade questions,I'm not so sure, everything is relative. Fox is making money from the APPEARANCE or adults being stupid. The only thing dumbed down is that stupid show to which you are referring.
2007-03-15 13:28:07 · answer #3 · answered by xxx 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Erm...I think you've both pointed out the stunningly obvious fact that Americans are becoming more stupid as well as answering your own question!!!!
I think it's due to simple laziness. That combined with the lack of responsibility on the part of employers in the areas that count - i.e. media and education - result in people who are careless being in charge of what we read / see / hear in the mass media.
It also extends to what kind of people are able to afford to participate in the American University system. If the education of adults was more equitable and there was a better distribution of real abilities -not just those who can afford to go to Uni - I think your society would be a lot better off!
Love and Light,
Jarrah
2007-03-15 13:30:04 · answer #4 · answered by jarrah_fortytwo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think we have gotten dumber, I think we have just forgotten the answers. Yes those kids know the answers but do they know everything we know. Yes they know every state capital, and we knew them once, but is that so important, those are things that could be looked up. Do they know all the little details of out jobs, or have recipes memorized, or how to operate machinery, we must know banking and what an IRA is and what is the best rate etc. ,how to manage a house, medical things, what to do for what ailment, and daily lives and cope with everything thrown at us. No I don't think they are smarter it is just that other things have taken over our priorities, and they just play in their spare time.
2007-03-15 13:28:30 · answer #5 · answered by joan 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, the sample of fifth graders on the show doesn't represent what the "average" fifth grader knows. However, I am often shocked at how little kids AND adults know about the world around them!!
2007-03-15 13:49:14 · answer #6 · answered by Mommy2006 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because 5th grade was a long time ago and a lot of things that are learned in school are not used in everyday adult life.
2007-03-15 13:22:17 · answer #7 · answered by patchouligirl 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because America is dumbing down. That's why adults can't answer 5th grade questions..
2007-03-15 13:22:30 · answer #8 · answered by Leslie D 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I wish everyone thought so.....i mean, kids would be great presidents because they r not so busy like adults and they have time to think about things like war and good education
2007-03-15 14:51:15 · answer #9 · answered by little.miss.woods*comma*elle❀ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"dumbing down" means America is getting dumber, therefore can't even answer simple questions.
And theres a disclaimer at the end of the show that the kids are given material to read that pertain to the subjects before the show.
Some of those questions are not 1st grade level in my opinion.
2007-03-15 13:32:26 · answer #10 · answered by trin 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋