Education in the Federation

[Shamrock Holmes]

I've been reading a little about the differences in education in different countries in RW, and it got me thinking about how much/how little we know about the education standards in the Federation compared to modern day.

I think there is a lot of questionable information regarding Nog's education (apparently he worked at Quark's without being able to read?), so I would probably focus on Wesley Crusher and Simon Tarses' probably education.

Given that Tarses was working as a solo practioner (specifically in pharmacy/care assistant) at a relatively young age (the actor was 27, but licensed media suggests that he was about 22, having enlisted at 18 (12 months training, 4 years deployed) and that Wesley was doing the equivalent of at least RW junior enlisted while in high school. I think it's likely that a 'high school diploma' (or equivalent) in the mid-late 24th C is equivalent to at least an Associate or Foundation Degree in modern day, which might suggests that the initial rank of Crewman is higher than the modern E1.

 

[Tenacity]

he worked at Quark's without being able to read

With computers taking vocal commands, and can speak back anything you otherwise would need to read, why would Nog need to be able to read?

And that would go for the majority of Humans too. Sure, some professions would require the skill, but if most people (as some fans insist) are permanently unemployed navel worshipers, why learn to read?

Seriously though, I doubt (given my view of the Federation) that there are Federation wide standards of education, Humans and Vulcans having the same curriculum. Education for most children would vary on different planets, and maybe from community to community. Cultural and society requirements would establish what the child would learn and at what rate.

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

With computers taking vocal commands, and can speak back anything you otherwise would need to read, why would Nog need to be able to read?

And that would go for the majority of Humans too. Sure, some professions would require the skill, but if most people (as some fans insist) are unemployed navel worshipers, why learn to read?

Okay, I'm not sure I entirely buy that... but, I'm dogmatic on the point.

Any thoughts on the rest of my post? It might be worth noting that Commonwealth navies use Ordinary Seaman (or Able Seaman 2 in the RN, combination of SR to SN (non-rate)), Able Seaman (equivalent of SN (rated), USAF SrA or USA SPC), Leading Hand (ranks with PO3/2 but also has elements of SPC), Petty Officer and Chief Petty Officer).

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Nog could read before he started working at Quark's. Jake taught him.

As for why: Reading is an absolute good. Everyone should know how. I don't give a frog's fat ass how automated or leisurelike it is in the Federation, everyone needs to read. This isn't Logan's Run, after all.

If the question is, why couldn't Nog read before he met Jake? No idea. One would think that even a Ferengi would need to learn to read as soon as possible, because you can't make a profit if you can't read. Maybe Quark held back Nog's education (out of spite or jealousy) and Rom was too timid to stick up for him?

 

[Shawnster]

Nog is not a good example as he is not a product of the Federation educational system. Jake would have been a good example, however.

Wesley was presented as a wunderkind, so he should be considered as well above average.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Wasn't there an early TNG episode where a background character (who's like 7 or 8 years old) is said to be learning calculus?

 

[Paul Weaver]

Yes, although I thought more about 10. When the bow breaks in season 1, one of the kidnapped kids was complaining about having to learn calculus.

Perhaps when they drop the outdated requirement for recursive handwriting it means that education shifts up a few years.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ Oh, I'll give you that bit re: cursive. THAT's an abomination.

 

[Paul Weaver]

Recursive cursive Dan autocorrect

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

Wasn't there an early TNG episode where a background character (who's like 7 or 8 years old) is said to be learning calculus?

Harry Bernard (played by Philip N Waller), per the script ten-years old at the time of the episode and studying calculus (which in the RW, is usually an AP subject for 16-18 year olds). Information on other high education subjects is limited, but some knowledge of warp theory and celestial "geography"/astrophysics seems to be plausible at high school level, which IFAIK, are/would be college-level subjects in modern day?

 

[NOVE9]

With computers taking vocal commands, and can speak back anything you otherwise would need to read, why would Nog need to be able to read?

And that would go for the majority of Humans too. Sure, some professions would require the skill, but if most people (as some fans insist) are permanently unemployed navel worshipers, why learn to read?

If you don't know how to read then you are totally reliant on technology for day to day activities. What do if you find yourself in a situation where you don't have access to it? You'd be at a severe disadvantage compared to someone that can read. On top of that there is also the issue of privacy regarding computers reading back to you, mainly I don't want most people knowing what I'm reading on my phone and I'd be really annoyed standing next to a bunch of people with their devices reading a whole pile of random shit back to them.

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

If you don't know how to read then you are totally reliant on technology for day to day activities. What do if you find yourself in a situation where you don't have access to it? You'd be at a severe disadvantage compared to someone that can read. On top of that there is also the issue of privacy regarding computers reading back to you, mainly I don't want most people knowing what I'm reading on my phone and I'd be really annoyed standing next to a bunch of people with their devices reading a whole pile of random shit back to them.

I agree with the above, although somewhat tangentially, I agree that the prevalence of computer technology would make writing by hand a dead/dying art (touched on during at least one Jack-centric episode of DS9 IIRC.

 

[Paul Weaver]

Writing may be archaic, but reading isn't - how would you tell what the sign on the door said? Reading data is far more efficient than having it read out too.

 

[Shawnster]

Writing may be archaic, but reading isn't - how would you tell what the sign on the door said? Reading data is far more efficient than having it read out too.

Not to mention the privacy aspects or simply not wanting to disturb others with the audio output. Or multi tasking.

 

[Greg Cox]

Well, Kirk joked about dipping little girl's pigtails in inkwells, but I suppose we shouldn't take too literally.

 

[Paul Weaver]

Picard used computer printouts to send messages to engineering in EaF, and Pike was hand-writing a captains log in The Cage

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Calculus at 6, Quantum Mechanics at 10.

 

[Prax]

Why are so many Trekkies so anti-cursive? Were you not taught the skill of handwriting? I've seen this come up on here before, and have even heard similar comments on a podcast. It was most likely a podcast about the episode, Muse.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

It is the obligation of the entire Federation to increase the education of the future generations. This mental penetration will increase the edification of the entire population.

 

[Tenacity]

Calculus at 6, Quantum Mechanics at 10.

But can the kid socially interact with his own peer group, or even tie his own shoes?

Why are so many Trekkies so anti-cursive?

I've noticed this before, cursive is a admirable skill, and merely requiring some time and practice.

how would you tell what the sign on the door said?