The papers today are full of critiscism of GCSE and the government continual dumbing down of education standard in a perverse attempt to claim rising standards.
When I was studying you could see the syllabus content was falling, for A level maths I remember going back in the papers year by year got progressively harder!
Although I do not see any point in maintaining a "gold" standard that loses relevance by trying to stay in the 1950s I was shocked to read that a 20% exam score could lead to a grade C!
The reports had high acheiving students given a test from the 1960s with predictable failure especially on numerical based work in science.
They also mention the iGCSE - apparently an international standard that is in widespread use but not recognised by our education system.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Film: Three Colours Red
The third in a trilogy of French films by director Krzysztof Kieslowski.
Another thought provoking and poignant film, that I first saw in 2006 but definitely deserved another viewing.
The central characters are a model called Valentine and a retired judge who meet after Valentine has run over his dog. He is a cold and cynical character who is spying on his neighbours by intercepting their mobile phone conversations.
The plot is interweaved with other characters lives who the main ones do now know about. A mirror image of the judge's life is happening to a young judge Auguste.
Eventually Valentine travels to England and is caught in a ferry disaster. Only seven survivors of which she is one.
A really good film 7/10.
Another thought provoking and poignant film, that I first saw in 2006 but definitely deserved another viewing.
The central characters are a model called Valentine and a retired judge who meet after Valentine has run over his dog. He is a cold and cynical character who is spying on his neighbours by intercepting their mobile phone conversations.
The plot is interweaved with other characters lives who the main ones do now know about. A mirror image of the judge's life is happening to a young judge Auguste.
Eventually Valentine travels to England and is caught in a ferry disaster. Only seven survivors of which she is one.
A really good film 7/10.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Film: Three Colours White
The second in a trilogy of French films by director Krzysztof Kieslowski.
A quirky and humorous film about a Polish hairdresser Karol Karol who has married a French woman and moves to France. She is seeking divorce after failure to consummate the marriage. The film revolves around Karol's attempt to rebuild his life.
After returning to Poland penniless, he befriends a fellow Pole who he sets up in business with (after persuading him that he does not want to end his life). The successful businessman Karol now fakes his own death to have his former wife come to his funeral. She is then framed for his murder and the film ends with Karol visiting the prison where she is held and seeing the cell in which she is sitting.
Was this entrapment, or an attempt to win her back we are not told - a very thought provoking film and a good 8/10.
A quirky and humorous film about a Polish hairdresser Karol Karol who has married a French woman and moves to France. She is seeking divorce after failure to consummate the marriage. The film revolves around Karol's attempt to rebuild his life.
After returning to Poland penniless, he befriends a fellow Pole who he sets up in business with (after persuading him that he does not want to end his life). The successful businessman Karol now fakes his own death to have his former wife come to his funeral. She is then framed for his murder and the film ends with Karol visiting the prison where she is held and seeing the cell in which she is sitting.
Was this entrapment, or an attempt to win her back we are not told - a very thought provoking film and a good 8/10.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Listening: Thomas Dolby and Propaganda
Thomas Dolby: Astronauts and Heretics 1992
Propaganda: A Secret Wish 1985
I've decided to listen to more music in the car rather than sombre news channels - which at the moment are not carrying much news you would want to hear.
I picked these from my collection, hard to believe how old they are now. The technically flawless Propaganda songs and the quirky Dolby tracks.
Propaganda: A Secret Wish 1985
I've decided to listen to more music in the car rather than sombre news channels - which at the moment are not carrying much news you would want to hear.
I picked these from my collection, hard to believe how old they are now. The technically flawless Propaganda songs and the quirky Dolby tracks.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Film: Seven Years in Tibet
A film from 1997, with Brad Pitt - who it seems wanted a more serious film in his history.
About Henrik Harrer a real life Austrian climber whose life climbing mountains is interrupted by the second world war. To avoid arrest he settles in Tibet, a secretive and closed society.
He befriends a young Dalai Lama, and the film mainly revolves around this friendship and the Tibetan struggle against the Chinese.
Not a bad film, once you can put Pitt's accent to one side 7/10.
About Henrik Harrer a real life Austrian climber whose life climbing mountains is interrupted by the second world war. To avoid arrest he settles in Tibet, a secretive and closed society.
He befriends a young Dalai Lama, and the film mainly revolves around this friendship and the Tibetan struggle against the Chinese.
Not a bad film, once you can put Pitt's accent to one side 7/10.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
President Obama
Well the predictions were right, and I'm really pleased. Of course we'll all be disappointed surely as the weight of expectation is too much?
The news stories said it all though, people who had never voted before voting and no surprise it was a record turnout. Sorry for McCain but he was swept away by history making.
But one thing we can say for Obama straight away there is going to be some great speeches, the art of public speaking is not dead. Of the few I've listened too, I've never heard a mistimed line or him stumble over his words like Bush - he's clearly a sharp intellect and a good communicator.
The news stories said it all though, people who had never voted before voting and no surprise it was a record turnout. Sorry for McCain but he was swept away by history making.
But one thing we can say for Obama straight away there is going to be some great speeches, the art of public speaking is not dead. Of the few I've listened too, I've never heard a mistimed line or him stumble over his words like Bush - he's clearly a sharp intellect and a good communicator.
Film: Lost in Translation
My rare film watching has had this added to the roll call. A really good and different film, about two people - a washed up actor and a newly wed woman in Japan. He's working on a whisky commercial and she is with her photographer husband.
Subtle comedy in many ways, but the film poses many questions about life and "what is it all for" but it is in no way a sad film, more sentimental, reflective and thoughtful.
Very atmospheric sound track too - I instantly remembered it from the trailers of 2003 (I was surprised to realise it was that old a film).
A good scoring 8/10 I think.
Subtle comedy in many ways, but the film poses many questions about life and "what is it all for" but it is in no way a sad film, more sentimental, reflective and thoughtful.
Very atmospheric sound track too - I instantly remembered it from the trailers of 2003 (I was surprised to realise it was that old a film).
A good scoring 8/10 I think.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Economics Editor - credit crunch winners
I have been watching Newsnight a lot more recently as the events have been historic and worth getting some extra background detail on. The programme is not too stuffy but you do get the feeling they are trying to maintain a standard that other early evening news journalism has given up on.
The winners in the crunch so far, well I'm sure there are plenty - but the economics editors are now known faces on TV. Robert Peston is a permanent fixture on the BBC news it seems and Paul Mason seems to have got his own Money Programme series explaining the financial meltdown.
New suits all round - glad to know it is not all bad news!
The winners in the crunch so far, well I'm sure there are plenty - but the economics editors are now known faces on TV. Robert Peston is a permanent fixture on the BBC news it seems and Paul Mason seems to have got his own Money Programme series explaining the financial meltdown.
New suits all round - glad to know it is not all bad news!
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