“2 Million Minutes,” a documentary from Indiana venture capitalist Bob Compton, has generated some controversy. The film explores the intellectual drive of 6 students; 2 United Stated citizens, 2 Chinese and 2 Indians, with the premise of discovering how effectively each used their 2 million minutes in high school to prepare for their role in an increasingly global economy.
I’ve seen the trailer, but before I saw it I guessed the American students would come across complacent or lazy, preoccupied with sports, partying (really anything but studying and their future) while the Chinese and Indian teens would come across as studious and driven. I wasn’t wrong.
Some educators have embraced “2 Million Minutes,” though there are others who find it misleading or simply insulting.
I am of the belief that our students do not devote enough time to studying. I also think proficiency in a foreign language should be requisite for graduation (exceptions for special education students) and that we do not emphasize mathematics enough. I also believe “all things in moderation” and recall how much I loved my time on the swim, basketball, and crew teams.
Dr. Howard Gardner, a psychologist and professor of education at Harvard, posited there are multiple intelligences:
1. Linguistic – Good with words
2. Logical/mathematical – Good with math/sequential learning
3. Musical
4. Spatial – A mechanic
5. Bodily kinesthetic – Kobe Bryant
6. Interpersonal – A gifted salesman
7. Intrapersonal – A person who knows themselves intimately
It’s a disservice to students and each other to value one form of intelligence over another. We probably all know someone who can rebuild an engine with their eyes closed but may not be a great reader or writer. That doesn’t make him any dumber than a great mathematician.
Now if someone could please give me a hand – I don’t want to trip stepping down from this soapbox.
I’ve seen the trailer, but before I saw it I guessed the American students would come across complacent or lazy, preoccupied with sports, partying (really anything but studying and their future) while the Chinese and Indian teens would come across as studious and driven. I wasn’t wrong.
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