Chess as a school subject

Some pointers here ... presentation-on-chess.

Not really useful pointers... I went through the first one, and all it said was that masters perform better in some spacial tasks (especially those with chess pieces), that any other benefit was inconclusive (and even if it was, it's a worthless test as regards education), and also that none of the tests on education were close to ideal, all but one of them being a choice between chess and do nothing (and of course some mental stimulation will trump nothing at all). It mainly comments on the limitations of the studies (despite their best efforts) and does not really lend them any credence whatsoever.

Are any of the others any "better"? (I think the first article was quite good, though - it was very statistically and methodologically sound).

+1

Believe me, I do accept them as people "with faults".

I'm not a teacher. If I find doctors to be worthless, I would complain about it, but I'm not going to become a doctor to voice my opinion on the matter.

Why would you demolish a bar? Haven't you destroyed enough minds?

It is always hilarious to hear teachers talk about their students being "unmotivated". Teachers site family problems, hanging out with the wrong crowd, puberty, mental deficiency, etc. But, the teachers never say a reason for the "unmotivated" student, may be that they can not tolerate the BS teachers "teach"

Chess should absolutely be mandatory... it's not merely coincidence that chess players have good memory and critical thinking skills. Chess does teach people to think critically and to build clear and concise arguments through a fun game. There have been numerous school districts (including the US) that have made chess mandatory in the past, but most of them were cut due to budget issues.

What about King Theoden and the countless you've tortured?

One man's torture is another man's tickling.

And we all know the Witchking was a barrel of laughs.

"You only want us to burn calories so that the evil food corporations running the school cafeteria can pump them back into us for a fee!; It's all a conspiracy! Get your American capitalist fatcat propaganda out of my face!"

Yes.

Back to the subject matter; (not that I don't mind the clever banter but it is a bit offtopic).

I think the idea of teaching chess in schools is not the worst idea in the world. Chess is good for developing memory skills, mental focus, math, logic and can help make learning fun. Making it mandatory might be a step too far though, as an elective class I would say it makes more sense. Beats Home Ec.

I know you are not a teacher (I wasn't either). I was asking you to become one... to make a difference. You direct so much negative passion and energy toward education... why not use that in a positive way instead.

As far as your post... I would complain about a bad doctor too. I would also complain about a bad teacher. But I would not say all doctors "suck". That's a blanket statement. It would also follow that not all teachers "suck". In fact most teachers are great and make an incredible difference in the lives of students. But there are those that have no business being in the teaching profession. At our county (and our school) these people just don't last. Once it's found out that they lack among other things poor classroom management skills and the ability to motivate (both resulting in poor state test scores) they have to go.

Trysts, you are a very articulate intelligent woman and I know you know that your statements were blanket statements.

You really like teachers, don't you? I have noticed quite often, clms_chess, that you have a lot of positive energy. I wish you would change that energy to negative, and direct it at 'teachers in general'. It seems unfair of me that I alone would have the thrill of saying "teachers suck". I mean, we've gone our whole lives respecting and sympathizing with teachers. Indeed, it is usually looked upon as personal growth and maturity to do so. But now, we're at a point in life where the realization of the true value of experiences can be judged. Thus, looking back on teachers, and their worth, can finally be assessed. Teachers generally suck

Having taugh college as well as high school classes, some of the courses offered as filler classes are absurd. Why not offer chess as an alternative class?

How dark and mysterious. It's no wonder people block you.

 I love teachers.... because I am one. I also know what it takes to be a good one. And trysts.... you are getting closer.... you used a qualifier..... "generally". Although I strongly disagree with that statement (I think they are generally awesome)... at least you have realized, it seems, that your earlier statements were all encompassing blanket statements... "teachers suck" in some of your posts in this thread.

"Generally..." implies that you at least believe that there are some teachers that you consider.... good...and don't "suck". Yesss?

The mathematical possibility exists, though I have no experiential evidence to support this "concept".