English pupils 11th in job skills ranking

[antimatter]

I think this is very good news.

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/leaguetables/10734609/OECD-league-table-English-pupils-11th-in-job-skills-ranking.html

I work in technical field in IT where detailed knowledge of technology is important, but as it happens without problem solving abilities one can't get very far.

[Agggghast]

Yes it shows that teaching pupils to think rather than rote learning is valuable.

[rabbitstew]

Mind you, it shows countries with a reputation for a heavy emphasis on rote learning are also at the top of the tables for problem solving.

[rabbitstew]

I love the way they test practical problem solving skills involving real life situtations... via a computer screen or pen and paper test! I wonder if they'd do equally well actually going out into the real world with their map and compass?!...

[antimatter]

Rabbit - I was wondering about that too.
Perhaps some of theit tests revolve around NVR principles?

[rabbitstew]

Well, looking at a couple of links to other articles, the examples they gave looked suspiciously just like that... eg working out what order to sit people around a dinner table, having been given information on who won't sit next to whom and who will...

[rabbitstew]

Basically, VR and NVR...

[funnyossity]

We have a fairly large percentage at the bottom end.

I understand the argument about Shanghai-China being "selective" but what do the Koreans do? They have a far smaller tail of low achievement.

[rabbitstew]

I heard they study every hour that they are awake, find life stressful and aren't very happy. That would probably do it.

[funnyossity]

Ah, I thought it might have been a bit of Tae Kwon Do for focus.