Does this ever REALLY bug you?

[Alexanderofmacedon]

I'm sure my fellow historials feel the same way about this.

In my english class (9th grade) we are studying the Odyssey. Unfortunetly, my teacher does not know the proper knowledge to teach this. She states "facts" that are insane and not true. It annoys me the most, when I know she is not correct. My classmates on the other hand learn everything wrong.

As that were not enough, my History teacher is teaching everything about the Greek/Macedonian and Roman empire with completely incorrect facts. Even the textbook has many mistakes! The book says Hannibal was a major part of the first punic war. It also fails to point out the huns advance to Constantinople before going to Ravenna and Rome.

Sorry, I had to let off some steam. Any of you guys feel the same way?

[Watchman]

This is the American education system we're talking about, isn't it ?

[Alexanderofmacedon]

LOL, how'd you know!?!

Yes, it is...

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Yes it does. My classes are pretty good about that sort of thing, and yes still the American education system. My AP History teacher is pretty good about having his mistakes corrected, just today I corrected him on one regarding the Japanese and their technological state when Perry arrived, it was a very minor point though.

I think last year our book got the Punic wars and all that correct, what book are you using?

[Alexanderofmacedon]

*dramatic music*

If you think the American education system is bad...







...I use the Texas textbook. Yeah, it stinks. I love Texas and all, but I want to move somewhere where the education is excellent!

P.S: The english teacher that doesn't know the Odyssey is really, really, REALLY nice, so don't make fun of her!

[TheSilverKnight]

*dramatic music*

If you think the American education system is bad...







...I use the Texas textbook. Yeah, it stinks. I love Texas and all, but I want to move somewhere where the education is excellent!

P.S: The english teacher that doesn't know the Odyssey is really, really, REALLY nice, so don't make fun of her!

Is she blonde and buxom? If so, then we can excuse her...

[Strike For The South]

*dramatic music*

If you think the American education system is bad...







...I use the Texas textbook. Yeah, it stinks. I love Texas and all, but I want to move somewhere where the education is excellent!

P.S: The english teacher that doesn't know the Odyssey is really, really, REALLY nice, so don't make fun of her!

EH Texas is the best we dont need any of that got-dang book learnin any how. Besisdes everyone knows Alamo Hightes is a strange place inhabbited by strange people and therefore get crappy school Although yall have a nice pool

[Mouzafphaerre]

LOL, how'd you know!?!

Yes, it is...

.
For a moment I thought you were schooled over here.
.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Well many states use the Texas books as Texas and I believe California are the two states that set the standard for what is in the books. In other words the textbook companies make books for Texas and California and then sell them to the rest of the country because it is cheaper than making a new one for each state.

I don't remember the title of our history book, but I know it is different from the Honors History classes' books. We also use a very liberal book by Howard Zinn, and several other less important books. In all we have maybe 5 books, luckily only one is a true textbook.

[The Stranger]

ahhahaha we got some good books +some good teachers, though sometimes i dont agree with the way he puts it but most of the time hes still correct bu just formulates it differeny...please quote some of her mistakes...i wanna laugh

[Geoffrey S]

Education at my school with regards to history was quite good, but focused mainly on political aspects of the past and how they formed the world today. I had stopped with history lessons by the fifth year, but kept up to date with my friends' books and it seemed fairly comprehensive to me. My classics teachers are very knowledgeable, and often have interesting things to point out or books to recommend.

We're probably somewhat biased around here about how good the quality of history taught at school is, but bear in mind it's only supposed to provide a basic foundation for pupils; those that wish to delve deeper should chose it as a university course, where a better standard of education can be expected.

The book says Hannibal was a major part of the first punic war.

The Hannibal? It was a common name (meaning something like favourite of Ba'al) among the Punics, and there were a number of Hannibals involved.

[TinCow]

I've gotta say, I can't even remember what my old highschool books said. They were probably full of inaccuracies but I didn't notice since I didn't know better back then. It would be very interesting to get ahold of them and check.

[el_slapper]

I did have good teachers in France - but the last year I didn't learn anything right. From 1 week to another one, the GDP of Switzerland did vary between 9K$ & 38K$.....

Everywhere you can find people lacking competence, unfortunately

[Kraxis]

The Hannibal? It was a common name (meaning something like favourite of Ba'al) among the Punics, and there were a number of Hannibals involved.

True enough, but if the book doesn't mention that this Hannibal is different from Hannibal of Cannae fame, then people will assume it is the same man. Very bad indeed. The name might have been common, but Hannibal is one person to most people.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Education at my school with regards to history was quite good, but focused mainly on political aspects of the past and how they formed the world today. I had stopped with history lessons by the fifth year, but kept up to date with my friends' books and it seemed fairly comprehensive to me. My classics teachers are very knowledgeable, and often have interesting things to point out or books to recommend.

We're probably somewhat biased around here about how good the quality of history taught at school is, but bear in mind it's only supposed to provide a basic foundation for pupils; those that wish to delve deeper should chose it as a university course, where a better standard of education can be expected.

The Hannibal? It was a common name (meaning something like favourite of Ba'al) among the Punics, and there were a number of Hannibals involved.

No, I mean Barca...

Carthaginian general of the 2nd punic war.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

A fifth grade teacher of mine (actually it was a substitute) thought all the characters in Lord of the Rings were real people. Aragon she thought was a real guy and everything...

Thank god she was a sub, that never tought again...

Come to think of it I think I told her "Don't ever teach again."...

im in fourth grade now...

Stranger...are you serious?!? Wow.

My enlglish teacher is REALLY smart actually. She got first place on a nation wide writing essay that would allow her to go to the college of her choice. She had around a 1600 on her SAT. Unfortunetly she married a man who was in the mob, which really wrecked her life. After some odd years she went to the battered womans shelter and was moved to where I live. It's a very sad story. If she would have not married that man, she would not he a teacher right now. She'd be at some high paying job.

She is the nicest teacher I've ever had. To tell you the truth she is not all that unknowledgeable about the Trojan war. She has misplaced Troy and has had a couple facts mixed up, but for the most part she just doesn't know any of the details. Some are harder to tolerate then others, but then again, she is very nice, so it's no big deal...

[The Stranger]

A fifth grade teacher of mine (actually it was a substitute) thought all the characters in Lord of the Rings were real people. Aragon she thought was a real guy and everything...

Thank god she was a sub, that never tought again...

Come to think of it I think I told her "Don't ever teach again."...



Stranger...are you serious?!? Wow.

My enlglish teacher is REALLY smart actually. She got first place on a nation wide writing essay that would allow her to go to the college of her choice. She had around a 1600 on her SAT. Unfortunetly she married a man who was in the mob, which really wrecked her life. After some odd years she went to the battered womans shelter and was moved to where I live. It's a very sad story. If she would have not married that man, she would not he a teacher right now. She'd be at some high paying job.

She is the nicest teacher I've ever had. To tell you the truth she is not all that unknowledgeable about the Trojan war. She has misplaced Troy and has had a couple facts mixed up, but for the most part she just doesn't know any of the details. Some are harder to tolerate then others, but then again, she is very nice, so it's no big deal...

eh im in the dutch fourth grade, i dunno if thats the same as the usa fourth grade.

And Aragon was a real person...it was that guy from Hidalgo, or am i mixing characters now?

[The Stranger]

oh the guy from hidalgo was Vigo Mortenson (sp)

(AoM, youre in love with your teacher arent you :P)

[Steppe Merc]

Yup, happens all the time. My idiot Art History teacher said Parthians were Mespotamians. I put her strait, though.

Oh, and my English teacher said that Vikings just raided, never settled anywhere or traded. Which is total BS, of course.

[Meneldil]

Well, on the other hand, I think the History teachers have a overall a much better knowledge of History than the average student. They just aren't that good with details. They aren't teachers for nothing, and I'm fairly sure they could have a good laugh on a forum too, by quoting some of their students' mistakes.
And frankly, things like wether the vikings settled in britain or not are totally useless for the average student.

[Knight Templar]

When I was writing city competition from history (about 6 months ago) I found at least 3 of 60 answers (including the one Aragonese conquered Sicily in the 15th century) to be incorrect. Later, when I complained to professors who corrected all tests, they said me that National commission, which had sent them tests, sent them answers as well, and they have to correct tests according to it, and can't do anything about it. (hope this sentence makes sense)

At least you don't have a teacher whose main lesson about the 11th century world is "Okay guys, back then, there were catholic christians in western europe, orthodox christians in eastern europe and muslims in the middle east and in the maghreb. There were also chineses in china, but we don't give a **** about them. Things are a bit hard to understand, so let's just say all these people spent their time fighting eachother. That's it, end of the lesson. Good luck for your exam tomorrow".

[Narayanese]

Yup, happens all the time. My idiot Art History teacher said Parthians were Mespotamians. I put her strait, though.

Hmm, I remember in 7th grade I mentioned the parthians to my history teacher and she seemed never to have heard of them...
But at least hannibal got mentioned in the right war (2nd).

One thing I found strange was my history teacher said (in my 12th year in school) bronze tools were only status things and not used, anyone knows anything about this (feels a bit ludicrous) He seemed credible otherwise (hard to check of course, I that was my last history course ).

[yesdachi]

My High School (and earlier) history classes and were mostly straight out of the book but my college classes were excellent with many slides and additional text references. The instructor stuttered (some found annoying but not me) so he would talk slowly and concisely allowing me to take excellent notes! I got great grades and learned a lot.

[conon394]

Narayanese

Hmm, I remember in 7th grade I mentioned the parthians to my history teacher and she seemed never to have heard of them...
But at least hannibal got mentioned in the right war (2nd).

One thing I found strange was my history teacher said (in my 12th year in school) bronze tools were only status things and not used, anyone knows anything about this (feels a bit ludicrous) He seemed credible otherwise (hard to check of course, I that was my last history course

Actually I don’t see the problem that your teacher had not heard of the Parthians. In general I think broad surveys of ancient history at the high school level are doomed to be overly general and not incredibly useful. On the second part I don’t quite get at what you mean when (and where) had the teacher indicated bronze goods were status items (or ceremonial) rather than functional?

[BDC]

My history GCSE consisted solely of the 20th century, mostly Britain and Germany, but with a bit of Abysinnia, Russia and Vietnam thrown in.

Was pretty dull really. Good teacher though. Only have a class of 8 people was useful.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Hmm, I remember in 7th grade I mentioned the parthians to my history teacher and she seemed never to have heard of them...

My history teacher one year looked puzzled when I mentioned the Hindenberg Line.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

The whaaa?

[Kraxis]

One thing I found strange was my history teacher said (in my 12th year in school) bronze tools were only status things and not used, anyone knows anything about this (feels a bit ludicrous) He seemed credible otherwise (hard to check of course, I that was my last history course ).

Bronze was certainly used... Priot to it there was only copper tools, and they were lousy. Bronze could fairly easily restructure stone and such, while copper would just get blunted and bent. Of course it wouldn't have been used, at least initially, for such things as ploughs or similar farming implements.