Film: Two Million Minutes Documentary

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  • June 10, 2010 at 6:19 am #4878
    Rob_Hugo@PortNW
    Keymaster

    This is one of my favorite videos to show to my students because it shows how students in other countries are studying and that in a few years, these are the same students that my students have to compete with for a job. Of course, the reaction is strong at the end of the session because my students really want to be marketable too. It's a good tool for them to reflect on their progress and whether or not they are competitive enough.

    In Two Million Minutes, the author compares the study habits of students from China, India, and America. According to the video, China and India far exceed America when it comes to education. The main reason for this is because students in China and India spend a lot of time and dedication solely on education. On the contrary, American students spread their time thin with education in addition to extracurricular activities. What the author is indicating is that with the current trend in education, America will be far behind China and India. This is of course interrelated with the economy and the growth of each country. The author assumes that the new super power will be China/India because students in the US are lagging behind so much.

    Get a glimpse on YouTube.

    Enjoy!

    P.S. Check out "Did You Know"

    June 13, 2010 at 2:51 am #28036
    Anonymous
    Guest

    So I just watched about a half an hour of "Two Million Minutes" and I hope all American freshman are required to see this movie. It was surprising to to hear that none of the students from India or China got into the schools of their choice, while the seemingly lackluster Americans seem to be living the dream. I do think their is something to the idea of the merits of "play" time in education, and I also think much can be learned from television. However, the biggest difference I noticed was attitude towards education. Students from the other countries seemed to feel challenged on a daily basis, while the American students seemed to view school as an annoying pass time that stands in the way of their dreams. Eye opening stuff.

    June 23, 2010 at 2:05 pm #28037
    Anonymous
    Guest

    I just watched part of 2 Million Minutes and think that all 9th graders should see this the first day of school. This is very much the reason I participated in this seminar. I know Asia and Africa are going to be the most significant global regions in my students life times. I want them to have a full understanding of the history and culture of these places. Partially because it is the course I teach, but mostly because I know the education they receive and pursue will directly impact their lives and the status of our country. This year I shared the article about Korean students applying to Ivy league colleges, and stressed the fact that these students are going to be applying to the same universities and have goals to attend the top schools in our country. Students were receptive, but I think the film will have a huge impact. Thanks for posting.

    July 2, 2010 at 1:52 am #28038
    Anonymous
    Guest

    I just watched a section of this documentary and it is sobering for me. I don't know if my students will care too much about this since its not an immediate"threat" to their livelihoods. This piece matches the reports I heard on NPR a few weeks ago that said that economically our students will be in a crisis the likes we have never known as a society. The globalization trend does indeed mean that we are now living in a global market place in which goods and services are not the only exchanges. Jobs and lives are also at stake. "The way the students spend their time in high school will affect their economic futures which will then affect the economic future of America." I struggle with students turning in homework. I struggle with students who think that turning in anything deserves an A for effort and refuse to understand that there is something called quality. Will watching this inspire? At least it will give them a fair warning.

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