Yes, I was thinking that focusing on the inputs (resources, etc) is key to performance. I feel that we are in such a "performance" or "aptitude" focused era that we are neglecting the resources that build "aptitude".
Essentially, Chapter 7 argues that research into educational expenditure and performance in the labor market has been flawed due to the incredible number of variables previous studies have not taken into acccount, such as geograpfic location, migration, and other demographics, Not to mention, many studies have assumed schooling quality acts uniformly across education groups:everyone born in a state with relatively high schooling quality receives an identical increase in their logearnings regardless of their residence or their number of years of schooling.
Thus, there hasn't been a proven correlation between the quality of education and eventual earnings in the labor market.
This topic has encouraged me to think of a few other ideas regarding input and achievement:
-how does a child's access to technology affect future performance?
-how does a child's access to higher education and the possibility of post-secondary education affect performance?
-how does this relate to ethnic/race and gender groups and performance in national labor markets?
I think these questions inspire me to think more!
-how does a child's access to technology affect future performance?
Use computer basic software ( word, excel, power point) and surf the Internet are the basic skill for people. So I assume that our next generation will be required more technology skill in their work field. I also think the technology part might cause bigger gap between the poor and the rich. The children from the low class don’t have chance to access computer daily. In contrast, the children from the middle or higher class do. When they enter work field , the technology skill might be one of the critical concerns for the bosses.
-how does a child's access to higher education and the possibility of post-secondary education affect performance?
In Taiwan, we have too many universities. It causes that bachelor degree is required by everyone. In other words, a bachelor degree is not valued anymore and also its teaching quality is not warranted. Economical recession is a world trend. Many students in Taiwan go to graduate school, because they want to escape from working. However, some of the students still have no job when they leave school with Master degree or Ph.D degree, because they went into not warranted university.
So I think this question really depends on individual situation. I know some people have high academic success and work well now. I also know some people have high academic success and still stay at home without work. I only could say choose your major wisely and suitable for you.
-how does this relate to ethnic/race and gender groups and performance in national labor markets?
In Taiwan, we only have Chinese people. So we don’t have ethnic/race problem in labor markets. As to gender part, no matter male or female are equal treated.
Information technology let me think of the accessibility of knowledge. If we say knowledge can be learned on your own, what is the role of teaching? Suppose!!! teaching should be focus on sharpening thinking.
It reminds me to think more about our course reading, Social class and the hidden curriculum of work. In the discussion, Zac reminded us about the education of the affluent families. The students in the wealthy families, they had a lot of training or education outside school. The role of school was concentrated on sharpening students' thinking. If the students who come from the low income group could make use the technology, would it change their future? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. We still need to research for it. But I think it depends on their motivation of learning.
Information technology let me think of the accessibility of knowledge. If we say knowledge can be learned on your own, what is the role of teaching? Suppose!!! teaching should be focus on sharpening thinking.
It reminds me to think more about our course reading, Social class and the hidden curriculum of work. In the discussion, Zac reminded us about the education of the affluent families. The students in the wealthy families, they had a lot of training or education outside school. The role of school was concentrated on sharpening students' thinking. If the students who come from the low income group could make use the technology, would it change their future? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. We still need to research for it. But I think it depends on their motivation of learning.
Information technology let me think of the accessibility of knowledge. If we say knowledge can be learned on your own, what is the role of teaching? Suppose!!! teaching should be focus on sharpening thinking.
It reminds me to think more about our course reading, Social class and the hidden curriculum of work. In the discussion, Zac reminded us about the education of the affluent families. The students in the wealthy families, they had a lot of training or education outside school. The role of school was concentrated on sharpening students' thinking. If the students who come from the low income group could make use the technology, would it change their future? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. We still need to research for it. But I think it depends on their motivation of learning.
Sorry, I post the comment three times.
I think that students who are exposed to technology have an advantage over those who don't, because they have access to more information. More information = more knowledge = more connections to make with content presented in school. I do agree with you that a student's motivation has a lot to do with how successful they will be in school and their level of learning. It's crucial. I wonder if those with more resources (the wealthier students) are more motivated because the instruction they receive is more engaging for them. More resources make for a better, more engaging and interactive lesson.