Monday, April 21, 2008

Two Million Minutes to a Flat World

Does creativity trump work ethic in the global economy? When it comes learning in science and technology, will our young people come to realize that they are in competition with (more highly motivated?) students from around the world? Whose responsibility is it to let them know?

Although it's been around for a number of months, this is the first I've seen the trailer for the documentary 'Two Million Minutes". My first take is that this 'mirror on the wall' is unlikely to give our young people the answers they expect.

The web site encapsulates the story:

"Regardless of nationality, as soon as a student completes the 8th grade, the clock starts ticking. From that very moment the child has approximately -

…Two Million Minutes until high school graduation…Two Million Minutes to build their intellectual foundation…Two Million Minutes to prepare for college and ultimately career…Two Million Minutes to go from a teenager to an adult

How a student spends their Two Million Minutes - in class, at home studying, playing sports, working, sleeping, socializing or just goofing off -- will affect their economic prospects for the rest of their lives."




The film-makers are teachers who are telling the stories of six selected students, 2 each from India, China and the United States. Is it worthy of 54 of a high schoolers 2 million minutes?

0 comments: