The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way
The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way explores how education differs in four different nations. The author of the book, Amanda Ripley, compares the educational initiatives made by kids in Finland, South Korea, Poland, and the United States of America. The book by Ripley demonstrates that one way to improve American high schools is to stop emphasizing athletics, teach subjects like math in a different way, and instill rigor and Sisu into the classrooms.
Excessive focus on athletics
First, Ripley argues that learning suffers as a result of American high schools' excessive focus on athletics. Other nations' educational efforts tend to promote the excellence of the learning process. Therefore, most of the students in countries such as Korea and Finland end up performing better than students in America. Thus, "I started to notice one fundamental theme in Korea and Finland, despite all their differences, everyone – kids, parents and teachers – saw getting an education as a serious quest, more important than sports of self-esteem" (Ripley 115). Indeed, most of the students in high school do not perform well because of the over-emphasis that is placed on sports. In my former high school, athlete students received a full scholarship while performing students were not allowed such an initiative. The action reflects the misplaced priorities in American high schools.
Teaching math differently
Secondly, other than the rethinking of the sports in high school, there is need for the integration of Korean and Poland models in teaching math differently in American high schools. The book contends that math provides one of the critical subjects in the development of smart kid. Subsequently, high schools in countries such as Finland and South Kore have prioritized learning of math. Ripley calls for the integration of different math lessons in each learning session. She laments that "compared to countries around the world, the typical eight grade math class in the United States featured sixth or seventh grade content; by the same measuring stick, the highest performing countries taught eighth graders ninth grade math" (77) Essentially, high school students in the US need to be exposed to more math concepts at an early age. The integration of different math concepts provides a medium through which math skills can be nurtured in early age and thus improved overall performance. Rather than reinforcing the idea that math was optional, high schools in America ought to emphasize the indispensability of math in learning initiatives.
Incorporation of Sisu
The incorporation of Sisu in high school learning initiatives. Ripley asserts that "Sisu means strength in the face of great odds, but more than that, a sort of inner fire" (153). Sisu is derived from Finnish. Principally, it is intended to inspire learning in students. It reflects on the tenacity of the Finnish people and their commitment to overcoming adversity. By integrating Sisu in to high school learning initiatives, teachers will be able to encourage students to take control of their studies through initiative.
Conclusion
Conclusively, The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way contends that performance in American high schools can be improved if there is reduced focus on sports, integration of different math teaching methods which are predicated on Finish, Poland and Korean models, and the reinforcement of Sisu in the learning initiatives. The success of students in the future will depend on how well they can inspire themselves beyond what is expected of them.
Work Cited
Ripley, Amanda. The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way. Simon and Schuster, 2013.
