electricland: (Betan Astronomical Survey)
electricland ([personal profile] electricland) wrote2006-04-26 05:29 pm

Annals of stupidity

In case you thought only North American schools came up with silly ideas, this was just forwarded to me by a colleague: Brain Gym exercises do pupils no favours

While all the proper grown up public intellectuals like Rod Liddle are getting a bee in their bonnet about creationism being taught in a handful of British schools, I've accidentally stumbled upon a vast empire of pseudoscience being peddled in hundreds of state schools up and down the country.

I'll lower you in gently. It's called Brain Gym, and it's a string of very complicated exercises for kids to do which "enhance the experience of whole brain learning". Firstly, they're very keen on water. "Drink a glass of water before Brain Gym activities. As it is a major component of blood, water is vital for transporting oxygen to the brain." Heaven forbid that your blood should dry out.
You really should read the whole thing. Oh dear oh dear.

(Oooh, and there's a follow-up!)

[identity profile] raithen.livejournal.com 2006-04-26 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
But they have a professional looking website!
seriously, I've not read in depth, so I can't judge. If it helps some kids, then cool enough -- but not if it teaches false information.

[identity profile] tonyhatfield.livejournal.com 2006-05-01 12:03 pm (UTC)(link)

But they have a professional looking website!

Some achievement that!
http://retiredrambler.typepad.com/tonys_ramblings/