Education in the Federation
- Thread starter Shamrock Holmes
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This one never ceases to amuse me. Nog can't read Federation. Big deal: I can't read un-transliterated Chinese or reliably tell it apart from Japanese or Korean, and that's no hindrance to a career (yet). And being able to speak Chinese would not alter this in any way.
As for UFP education, the one interesting characteristic of it is the apparent lack of uniformity. There's no requirement for people to proceed at a uniform pace if Jake in "The Homecoming" is struggling with algebra while the much younger Harry in "When the Bough Breaks" is asked to know his calculus. Unless future pedagogical sciences have discovered that the latter is a good prelude to the former after all.
Makes sense, really. There'd be way too much to be learned no matter what the curriculum (heck, there already is today), so it must be pick and choose, with all the formal aspects of teaching concentrating solely on the learning of learning skills. And with longer lifetimes to while over, it won't really matter whether you master calculus at the age of three or thirty (although it may be much less of a chore at three).
Timo Saloniemi
As for UFP education, the one interesting characteristic of it is the apparent lack of uniformity. There's no requirement for people to proceed at a uniform pace if Jake in "The Homecoming" is struggling with algebra while the much younger Harry in "When the Bough Breaks" is asked to know his calculus. Unless future pedagogical sciences have discovered that the latter is a good prelude to the former after all.
Makes sense, really. There'd be way too much to be learned no matter what the curriculum (heck, there already is today), so it must be pick and choose, with all the formal aspects of teaching concentrating solely on the learning of learning skills. And with longer lifetimes to while over, it won't really matter whether you master calculus at the age of three or thirty (although it may be much less of a chore at three).
Timo Saloniemi
I like the idea that Nog can probably read Ferengi (and potentially Cardassian and maybe even Bajoran) it's just that their version of the UT doesn't work on the written word so he couldn't read Federation Standard. That makes sense.
That's an interesting point, although whether Jake v Harry B was a case of differing potential, different priorties (perhaps Harry B wanted to be a scientist so pursed more advanced math quicker, whereas Jake was on a 'average' education program - possibly due to the Saratoga not having a dedicated school either?) is hard to tell. It might also be worth pondering exactly when Jake decided he didn't want to go to the Academy (he wouldn't be the first person to do badly at school to avoid going to college) as this could have influenced his progression.
Certainly, I don't think there's any reason that the Federation math/science strand includes something similar to British A-levels - Algebra, Geometry, Trig, Calculus, Mechanics, Statistics (for math), Biochemistry, basic Genetics/population studies, botany and basic anatomy & physiology (Biology), physical, inorganic & organic chemistry (Chemistry), and radiation/particles, waves/electrical, mechanical, thermal and materials physics, even astro/medical/engineering physics (an option in the RW and consistent with Wesley's antimatter project from Peak Performance).
Given that Starfleet only take the best (and have several levels for admission testing for officers), I think it's likely that the below-average and the unmotivated average "need not apply" and entry even into the enlisted cadre would be contingent on being 'above average' at minimum and geniuses are preferred for officer?
This assertion was made very early on, with poor Wesley failing to get in on several occasions. The reality is somewhat different - look at the average quality of redshirts in TNG.
But can the kid socially interact with his own peer group, or even tie his own shoes?
I've noticed this before, cursive is a admirable skill, and merely requiring some time and practice.
Assuming everyone in the Federation knows what the above is? Not all species are humanoid
Even on earth many cultures wouldn't recognise that shape. I suspect a Vulcan toilet would not look like that.
Perhaps the entry requirements vary according to track?
This would be a good reason seperate Security and Services from Engineering & Operations as I think there is compelling evidence that the Engineering, Science and Command tracks do have extremely high academic standards (though I will also admit that they might be lax in other areas).
In TNG security was yellow, but so was operations. Picard's new protegees in S1 - La Forge and Worf, were in red and presumably command track - as indeed was Wesley. Both changed to yellow to head up Engineering/Security, with Worf changing back to Red when he took more of a strategic role in Way of the Warrior
I imagine intelligence and strengths are identified in children early on (combo of genetic testing/brains scans/IQ tests etc) and they are streamed into majors earlier based on that. Alternately, the parent can opt to let the child take a standard curriculum and specialize later. Some may never specialize; that's where Starfleet generalists come from (all those cross-departmental folks in TOS)
Besides not knowing how to read (English/Federation Standard), he may not read in Ferengi or anything else often for pleasure - literature, comic books, etc - and thus doesn't get the practice. There's holonovels to play which you don't have to read to participate in. The Rules of Acquisition are memorized possibly by hearing.
Besides not knowing how to read (English/Federation Standard), he may not read in Ferengi or anything else often for pleasure - literature, comic books, etc - and thus doesn't get the practice. There's holonovels to play which you don't have to read to participate in. The Rules of Acquisition are memorized possibly by hearing.
IIRC, science officers (along with doctors, counselors, etc. - any officer who wears a blue uniform) must take the bridge officer's test if they want to advance beyond the rank of LCDR and become eligible to stand watch on the bridge. Crusher and Troi did this, and Janeway must have as well because she said she used to be a science officer.
As far as I know, UTs only work on speech. They can't translate control panels or written words. UTs only work on what you hear, not what you see.
That is consistent with known information, although Ro's promotion to Lieutenant after taking Advanced Tactical Training (which could be a number of things, but probably includes the Bridge Officers Test and the "Away Team Leaders Test") suggests that ATT gives a one or two grade bump (depending on Time in Service?) regardless of original rank?
I wouldn't say I'm against it but I would say there is no longer a good reason for cursive to exist. Print letters work just fine for the small amount of handwriting an average person has to do. We've all been in a situation struggling to read someone's cursive. I notice that most people don't even sign a real name on credit card screens anymore, they just make some sort of squiggle. The time spent teaching kids cursive could better be spent on other things today.
For the record I can write in cursive just fine!
I need to verify that. Please sign your name.
Signatures don't have to be legible - just ask any doctor. 
All they have to be is consistent. Your signature can be an obscure scrawl - just so it's recognizable as yours. Doesn't matter if anyone can actually READ it.
And that's why cursive really has no logical function anymore.
All they have to be is consistent. Your signature can be an obscure scrawl - just so it's recognizable as yours. Doesn't matter if anyone can actually READ it.
And that's why cursive really has no logical function anymore.
It's especially problematic for 3 and 4 year olds learning to read - they read books, printed. They write cursive, which looks very different (an s looks nearer to an o for example)
It's as antiquated as Latin. Let those who want to learn it tackle it when they've got their primary education out of the way.
It's as antiquated as Latin. Let those who want to learn it tackle it when they've got their primary education out of the way.
Based on what we see in TNG, they can with the other kids in the same class, but are not good at dealing with kids who don't blend in well.
I'm not sure how relevant a skill cursive handwriting is in the computer age.
I wouldn't compare cursive to Latin. Latin helps you learn Spanish, Italian, French and Portugese. And you learn the structure of language better than you do with English, which actually helped me write an NLP algorithm for my Masters thesis. Cursive has become a stylistic choice to communicate personal class.
I suppose it does develop fine motor skills in a way that touch pads don't.
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Despite my earlier reply, I've remembered Pulaski, who despite holding the rank of Commander, was per her own admission "not a Bridge Officer" (ie had not taken the Bridge Officer Test). It's unlikely to be a Time in Rank thing either, as Pulaski was around 50 when she first appeared, and both Troi and Crusher were in their mid-40s when they took the BOT and were promoted.
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