cuiusvis hominis est errare

Every human can make a mistake.... (Cicero)

Ugh, I am thoroughly disgusted with myself!

In my haste to publish I have neglected to properly proofread my earlier posts.. I have since discovered SEVERAL spelling errors.. (LOL, one painted a vivid picture, my husband's face was a potato masher!! Translated: My husband's fave was a potato masher!)

I can take some solace in knowing that most of these typos were due to typing on my iphone, one handed! Really, it is! Most of the time I posted I was in the middle of feeding my little one. I feel a strong need to make the most of my time when sitting still and feeding, so often I am researching or blogging. Lately it's been researching (ho hum, "research" sounds more professional than "web surfing" )

So, this being my blog about teaching escapades, what is the point of this post?

Student apathy, rushing work and submitting a lacklustre end product.

So many of my students rush and don't take the time to ensure their work is thorough and of a high quality.. My own teenage son is guilty of it. They detest prolonged assessment and just want to get it "over and done with" and are happy to hand in something that is "close enough".

Flashback to my own high school days, yes, I admit, I was a bit of a bull in a china shop too.. I don't know how many times I kicked myself after getting a maths exam back to see that I made stupid, careless mistakes - d'oh!

My dear husband made a very, very valid point during one of our animated discussions about the state of the education system, specifically, marking maths questions. Near enough isn't always good enough.. if we produce students who calculate bridge dimensions that are slightly out - we are doing society a disservice - a potentially deadly one. Think of a bridge the size and scale of the Gateway in Brisbane! I shudder to think. And yet, I have students whinge to me, "Miss, when am I ever going to use this in real life?"

Admittedly these statements come from students who struggle with maths and would rather be anywhere else but school. I often wonder what the secret is to make these students engage more and take an interest in their education, to value the opportunities they take for granted every day. I daresay maturity plays a big part there. I also stand by my statement that school is the training ground for the real world, get it right there and life will be a little more easier for you.

To sum it up, here is another latin phrase made famous by Cicero.. itbuilds upon the title of this post:

Cuiusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare

"Any man can make a mistake; only a fool keeps making the same one."

Suffice to say, I will be going back and editing my typos post haste!!

TGBTG
xx