Hi There!

I just read this aphorism:   "If youth only knew, if age only could."

That got me started.  As an rapidly aging boomer, I started thinking
about all the junk I learned in college, and all the things I WISH I
had learned.  Examples follow:

Should Have Skipped These Subjects
------------------------------------------------------
Inorganic chemistry 
Differential equations 
Mitosis and meiosis (which is which?  even my doctor doesn't know!)
etc.
etc.


Should Have Studied These More
------------------------------------------
Logical thinking
Lessons from history
Ethical implications of different actions
Setting goals
Selling my ideas to others
Forecasting the future
etc.
etc.


You get the idea.  I wish I could go back and change my course of studies.


A 5-star answer to this question would be 3-5 web sites that list the
"meta-learning" skills we should be teaching young people today.  (For
those of you who really believe in the Krebs Cycle, more power to
you...heh  heh   heh)

All comments greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
ron

I had a Krebs Cycle once, but it had a flat and I could never find any
inner tubes for it.

hee  hee  hee

thx, Pink!

In *theory* your teachers should have been teaching you things from
the second list in the process of teaching you the things on the first
list.  Unfortunately, not all teachers are created equal, and it
doesn't always work out that way.

Thanks, fstokens!

I studied the first two in Electrical Engineering. The Inorganic
chemistry proved useful. The differential equations did not.
 If you are sufficiently motivated you can learn your second list on
your own, better than with a mediocure teacher. A gifted teacher is
helpful, but they are rare. As fastokens suggested, your second list
needs real life examples, so is often taught as the most important
side benefit of some other subject. Many of your teachers likely
tried, but failed to inspire you. Much of the second list is best
learned before age 6.
 I'm skeptical about learning much from history as our world has
changed so much in recent decades. Also much of what is taught as
history is really false inferences, half truths and propaganda.   Neil

I was much amused by the list of subjects you should have skipped, as
I am kicking myself for not learning more about differential
equations.  (I need it for my current job.  Sad to say, I am not a
great asset to my employer.)

They say that schools should teach "critical thinking," whatever that
is.  I think it's hard to teach some of the things you list.  A lot of
kids won't learn history in any meaningful way until later in life
when they understand why it's important.  Maybe they'll memorize a
list of "lessons from history," but that knowledge won't become a part
of them.  It's hard for schools to teach anything about ethics--no
matter what ethical system they try to teach, someone will be unhappy
with it.

You can't go wrong with teaching good communication skills--both
written and oral.  Ideally, this would include skills in organizing
ideas clearly, grammar, spelling, and public speaking.  A couple
things from your list (logical thinking, selling your ideas to others)
tie into communication.

neilzero & biophysicist,

Thanks for your insightful comments.
I appreciate it!

ron

Heeeeeeyyyyy Ron,

Long time .. no type. Did you ever go ahead with the auction idea?
Remember? You know .. the chicks, the bucks, your friends' hotel?

Anyway, I like your question. Have a glance at Question 419197                 
Mr Smith asked about children teaching children. Great idea.

I can't point you to any sites as you asked. Just have to agree with
your sentiments though. If I had my time again I would have studied
Physics at school. The brainy (and stupid) kids talked me out of it.
No confidence you see. That basket weaving option sure came in handy
though.

Further to your point, I don't believe us Baby Boomers were properly
taught HOW to learn or study. "Just read the books kid, or get a boot
in the arse". Beautiful, just bloody beautiful motivation. Maybe the
teachers didn't know.

Now I learn more from my 12 year old daughter. And guess what? It's FUN.

Catch you lateronron.

Phil

I like meiosis - - it's why we have sex!
http://www.towson.edu/~scully/sex.html

Silver777!

Long time, no schmooze.  In answer to your question...no.  I am still
working on the hotel/auction idea.  But in the interim, you'll be
happy to know you've improved by vocabulary.  I now think of you and
use the phrase "equality chicks" at least twice each week.  As a
result, I can now jog 20% faster!   heh  heh  heh

Thanks for the referral to Mr. Smith's question.  I *appreciate* it!

ron

Richard the Lionhearted,

Thanks for mentioning the connection between meiosis and sex.  This
explains why mitosis hasn't been working for me...

heh  heh  heh

Thanks again!
ron