31 replies to this topic

[Tilter]

Quite often tests are given in a subject, as a merely symbolic thing. Administrators and record keepers like to see that there was a test. For this reason, those who develop the questions for such tests know they need to make them relatively easy to pass. There is no point in asking a "trick question" on such a test, or a question whose answer is irrelevant to the overall spirit of the training course.

And that raises a bigger question, what is most important here? Is it that people can answer some specific question that on the surface is mere trivial knowledge about Canada? So what? How does that serve our country. Isn't it far more important that we teach about Canadian culture, or more specifically the values that allow people to live together in Canada under our law. THAT's what matters, not whether or not our high school students know exactly where the prairies begin and end. And it should be a mandatory course for everyone.

One interesting thing about this--- if there were questions about western Canada on this test--- no one would get the answers right---- there is NO documentation or history associated with the development of the Canadian west except in smatterings from various books. This causes remarks that I heard from the mouth of a 30ish yuppy --- There is nothing west of Barrie worth mentioning, typical Ontarian thinking.

[olpfan1]

One interesting thing about this--- if there were questions about western Canada on this test--- no one would get the answers right---- there is NO documentation or history associated with the development of the Canadian west except in smatterings from various books. This causes remarks that I heard from the mouth of a 30ish yuppy --- There is nothing west of Barrie worth mentioning, typical Ontarian thinking.

bullcrap, we all do not think like that, that is an unfair generalization
and a wrong one at that

[dre]

One interesting thing about this--- if there were questions about western Canada on this test--- no one would get the answers right---- there is NO documentation or history associated with the development of the Canadian west except in smatterings from various books. This causes remarks that I heard from the mouth of a 30ish yuppy --- There is nothing west of Barrie worth mentioning, typical Ontarian thinking.

Thats just typical regionalism nothing too sinister.

I live on Vancouver Island, and I basically consider everything east of Horseshoe Bay to be France/Europe.

[Sa'adoni]

Thats just typical regionalism nothing too sinister.

I live on Vancouver Island, and I basically consider everything east of Horseshoe Bay to be France/Europe.

Ontario has civics as a mandatory course I believe

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/canworld10ex/civics.pdf

[Manny]

Thats just typical regionalism nothing too sinister.

I live on Vancouver Island, and I basically consider everything east of Horseshoe Bay to be France/Europe.

Really? We judge you by your limp wristed hockey team, the embarrasing fans, and an affinity for dope addiction. Seems Swedish to me...

[Evening Star]

Yes, as dre mentioned, these are all things that are covered in mandatory history and civics courses.

[dre]

Really? We judge you by your limp wristed hockey team, the embarrasing fans, and an affinity for dope addiction. Seems Swedish to me...

Vancouver Island doesnt have a hockey team. The team you refer to is on the other side of Georgia Straits... In france.

And I dunno what team you follow, but if theyre over there on the east coast, chances are the only reasons theyre wrists are so strong, is because they get a FULL SUMMER OF GOLF IN!... Every... single... year...

[Manny]

Vancouver Island doesnt have a hockey team.

Say no more... please

[msj]

Vancouver Island doesnt have a hockey team. The team you refer to is on the other side of Georgia Straits... In france.

And I dunno what team you follow, but if theyre over there on the east coast, chances are the only reasons theyre wrists are so strong, is because they get a FULL SUMMER OF GOLF IN!... Every... single... year...

Yes, I live on VI too and feel the same way as you.

[Tilter]

bullcrap, we all do not think like that, that is an unfair generalization
and a wrong one at that

Would you care to enlighten us on the name of a textbook outlining western Canadian History?

[Smallc]

Would you care to enlighten us on the name of a textbook outlining western Canadian History?

Well, I don't know what classes you took, but Gr 5 History and Gr. 11 History, both dealing with Canada (there was another one too, but I can't remember), both dealt with the fur trade and the colonization of the west. The problem is that in classes, you often run out of time, and don't get into the 1900s, where much of western Canadian history exist.

Western Canadian history is only outlined in the context of Canadian history, and there's no reason for it to be a course onto its own. Your belief that western Canada isn't detailed in Canadian history courses is very misinformed.

[Manny]

Would you care to enlighten us on the name of a textbook outlining western Canadian History?

http://cdn100.iofferphoto.com/img/1122620400/_i/7678192/1.jpg

[Bonam]

Well, I don't know what classes you took, but Gr 5 History and Gr. 11 History, both dealing with Canada (there was another one too, but I can't remember), both dealt with the fur trade and the colonization of the west. The problem is that in classes, you often run out of time, and don't get into the 1900s, where much of western Canadian history exist.

It's not a matter of running out of time. At least when I went to high school, Socials 8-11 specifically covered the period of history starting in classical times and ending in 1914. To learn any history (Canadian or otherwise) that happened after 1914, you had to take History 12, an elective course that the vast majority of students do not take.

Also, the "fur trade" was about the most boring part to learn about out of the whole history curriculum. That you'd hold this up as the shining beacon of our learning about history of the Canadian west is frankly hilarious. It was a running joke with everyone in the class, that we spent weeks "learning" about dudes going around in canoes.

[g_bambino]

I passed my Canadian citizenship test, and I am sure most high school students would fail it.

The test doesn't even have its facts right. The answer indicated as the correct one for question 4, "Who was George Buchan?", is "A popular Governor General of Canada." The problem is, there never was a Governor General George Buchan; there was only a John Buchan, Baron Tweedsmuir.

[g_bambino]

Canada consistantly ranks in the top 10 for education among its people in the world
I think the older generation on this forum are out of touch with that fact
they think younger Canadians are stupid

I'm not worried about the youth

Stupid and ignorant are two different things. What do you think it says about the quality of history and civics education in this country when only 5% of people polled can name their own head of state, nearly 70% giving an answer that isn't even close to right?