Firstly, it's about science education, not my interjection of personal opinion. If a pupils view conflicts with science education, then, to me, a discussion is warranted. If the pupils hold a certain view that is in conflict with science, then it should be discussed.
Secondly, I'm not giving...
Good grief!! I haven't said that creationism should be part of the curriculum! I've been advocating that creationism be debated within the science classes when / if it arises. Please read my posts.
Edit: Sorry for getting annoyed :D
I don't know if you are gay, Eliot (It's not my concern either way), but you do have a crap taste in music. :D
Can I recommend some Alice In Chains or Whitesnake?
OK, I'll check out your answers. Hopefully they'll take into account the diversity of opinions that young people hold and, what we as teachers, have to deal with without dismissing them out of hand.
Although we may not agree with the views they hold, they do deserve a response. From experience...
Credibility would not be granted if it were refuted adequately through evidence. Regarding what creation myth should be debated, then my statement above should cover it. ALL creation myths which run contrary to the evidence should be debated, if they arise.
This is my point. The OP talked about what schools should teach. By allowing the girl to express her opinion and have that refuted is what education is all about.
Are we really in disagreement here?
My Utopian vision would be people living in harmony with Nature.
Trees would be allowed to live out their lifespan and humans would be forced to live in accordance with this. Humans would be required to give up technology (including this here gol' danged internet thing) and, instead...
Good. The teacher was doing their job. The pupil expressed an opinion and it was refuted through evidence. The pupil was challenged and learned something.
Yeah, but "no more Britain...".
Can't have that, old chap. The Empire and all that. It's just not cricket to have old Blighty off the map for good. Who will I have a decent cup of British tea with if there is no more Britain...:)
I suppose it's fair to say at this point that I am a biology teacher. I live in an area of the UK (northwest Scotland) that is very christian fundamentalist in its outlook. The majority of pupils I teach are either outright creationists or IDers. I would be doing them a disservice if I didn't...
Yes, but that doesn't stop them trying to get creationism / ID into the classroom. This is my point. Whether people see creationism / ID for what it is or not is irrelevant. The fact is that they will continue trying to force it into the curriculum. For this reason, it needs to be debated and...
I think you are underestimating the influence of creationists, Jeremiah. How many people in your country don't accept evolution? It's a considerable number and, if left unchallenged, they will continue to make in-roads into the science curriculum. In the UK, creationism was pretty much ignored...
I disagree here, Jeremiah. Just look at the popularity of creationism in the world today. It's not going to simply disappear of its own accord - not anytime soon, at least. In the meantime, it is up to teachers to highlight poor scientific and pseudo-scientific practices and views.