Honestly if you can’t calculate things on an abacus you shouldn’t be in the exam room tbh. Sure, calculators have been invented and have ultimately replaced the abacus in nearly every facet of day to day life, but surely you know how to add beads together?
We’re letting kids use GPS to get to school now? What the street signs and constellations aren’t good enough for you?
lugal@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Students with dyslexia do get special treatment. There is no reason to discriminate against people lacking an unrelated skill and it’s not funny to demand it so we at least agree on something
Capricorn_Geriatric@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I agree.
That being said, there’s a difference between having a disability and just not having had enough practice.
Just having an analogue clock in all rooms and halls of a school is a way to give people the opportunity to get the practice.
In higher grades you can have an analogue clock in front and a digital “cheat” one in the back. If they’re not sure, they can glance at that. And if that cheat clock is only in every other room. Most will learn because it’s easier that way.
When reading the clock comes as a topic of the curriculum in 1st or 2nd grade, having the teacher ask a student to read the time periodically from the classroom clock for a few months will make sure everyone has had at least some opportunities to practice.
Of course, if someone does have a problem bordering on disability, accomodate them. But a quarter of a class having it is really either bad luck or just bad methodology.
lugal@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
The post talks explicitly about teenagers in exam halls. Don’t know if “exam hall” is a term for regular class rooms but either way it talks about teenagers. True, younger kids should learn it. Even if without practice, you have a hard time as a teenager, you can revive the skill later. Source: I did.
FelixCress@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I am not referring to students with diagnosed disabilities - I am referring to the vast majority without.
lugal@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
… in the context that many students can’t read analog clocks and shouldn’t get help. Pretty sure there is no official diagnosis for this so no problem and they don’t deserve to know how much time they have left in a biology exam. Again, there is no reason to discriminate against people lacking unrelated skills, if diagnosed or undiagnosed.
FelixCress@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Let me put it this way: if someone is not disabled and still unable or too lazy to understand the clock, they shouldn’t be in the exam room in the first place.
This is not a “discrimination” - most exams are for the people with a some level of the IQ, certainly above the level of a radiator. Or a stool.