My one regret in making the documentary Two Million Minutes was that we did not film more of the other classes the students take, so that Americans could see the high level of achievement in literature, art, history, geography, civics, economics, etc.
Here is a brief video of Apoorva in her senior year English literature class discussing Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. It gives you just a sample of type of classroom discussion typical in the more qualitative courses.
Saw C-Span's interview of Bob with Brian Lamb ... very, very good!
I can't wait to see the whole doc
Posted by: Gary Harris | March 10, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Last night while sitting wiht my hospitalized daughter, I watched an interview regarding 2 Million Minutes. It confirmed everything I have tried to teach my children only it was far more eloquent and organized. Well, this morning I could hardly wait to get online to research both 2mminutes.com and indianmathonline.com. When I learned that this website was a math tutoring site I instantly knew we would be unable to afford it, as most services are simply out of reach financially.
Well, when I scrolled down and saw the incredible bargain I actually let out a little cry. I was overtaken emotionally. I am so excited that my kids will have access to your program and intend to restructure our budget so we are investing in thier education. We plan to hire both math and science tutors and will only hire those that hold degrees from respectable universities. We will hire the best we can afford. My husband is also on board.
Will you consider adding to your site some suggestions for parents who need direction on
just what the math and science courses are. I honestly didn't know what to look for until I did a little more research this morning. For instance, I am assuming I should encourage the boys to pursue courses beyond Algebra 2. Courses like Calculus and Physics, but what comes after that? I personally, am not sure what sort of science courses I should encourge them to consider. I remember taking biology in high school but I am sure there is more beyond this. Will you please advise? What sort of courses should we encourage the children to consider?Sort of a road map, blue print.
What sort of career fields are available to those that pursue math and science realted degrees?
Thanks for investing your money into the documentary and thanks for making indianmathonline truly affordable.
Posted by: Washington, DC | March 10, 2008 at 07:37 AM
I saw the program on the film this morning at CSPAN. One of the comments that the producer made during the program was that indians have similar passion and dedication for education as many Americans have for sports. Having lived and studied in India, I feel compelled to shed more light and my viewpoint on the reasons behind this outlook. I feel it has mainly to do with grading system, I do not agree that indian parents are making their children study hard just for their respect for education, but rather because a 2 basis point difference in exam results could have serious consequences (you will not get in the college of your choice), if indian grading system were to be the same as in the US. All parents would want their children to score A. For the same reason US parents put more focus on sports, because in sports their is only one winner, and the competition is cut throat - a small % difference in talent could make you get into a team or not. So I feel it is the competitiveness and peer pressure that is enabled by the grading criteria that makes the difference.
On the subject of appreciation for knowledge another note- I'd like to even go to the extent of saying that in the past decade the appreciation for pure intellect and knowledge has declined - the focus in now on making money (capitalism) - although it is fortunate that making money and education is highly linked now but due to the lack of basis passion for knowledge once a typical Indian student gets the passport for entering in the corporate world, their desire for continued education is mostly dead (they are burnt out by that time). I have not run the numbers but if you compare number of US nationals (and citizens from other developed nations) doing PHds or masters in their mid thirties would be (as a percentage) far more that Indians (I am not too sure about Chinese).
Posted by: Abhishek Breja | March 10, 2008 at 03:58 AM
There seems to be an emphasis on math and science in Comptons documntary when in fact societies need a rainbow of skills. I think a great car mechanic is as valuable as a doctor. In the US we have been gradually becoming a entertainment producing economy. In a world at peace, entertainment will be worth a great deal.
Our local school system has embraced the arts especially theatre with a new vigor. Parents seem to be giving great support to the arts, more so than when I was a student. I think this is the US trend which will create new markets in the next decades.
Posted by: hhkeller | March 09, 2008 at 09:11 PM
I saw an article about how Indian schools are becoming popular in Japan. As such, this is not only about US vs India or China but other developing countries as well.
Japan open for India's lessons
http://www.theage.com.au/news/education-news/japan-open-for-indias-lessons/2008/02/22/1203467395767.html
Posted by: Nate Peterson | March 09, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Let me ask you this: if the US is so far behind in science education and math and physics and literature, etc etc etc., how do we explain why the US continues to lead the world in Nobel Prize awards and breakthroughs in scientific discoveries and technology and medicine and innovation and space exploration and literature and sports and economics and politics and in every other measurable area of human achievement?
Posted by: Rick Bryan | March 09, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Watched the documentary last night, was neither disappointed nor commendatory. I have always been under the assumption that the overseas students were far superior to that of the usa. But after watching, it appears that the extracurricular activities and the "lais sez faire" attitude and lifestyle of the american students benefits them. I, however do applaud the diligence in the overseas' students and less than wasteful lifestyle that they embody. I have always been a stickler for faith, family, and acedemics in my family, but following a recent divorce and the accompanied battles with the law and the significant other, I have come to the conclusion that their are definitely different schools of thought with regards to acedemia and the success of students. I also noted prior to viewing the documentary, during a business report, that baby boomers should place between 20% and 40% of their portfolia into foreign markets. That was proof to me that the economy is definitely global. I do salute broken pencil productions for facilitating and stimulating my thought processes and educating me. Thanx again.
Posted by: Andre Guidry | March 06, 2008 at 11:35 AM