Is there a thing your teachers used to say that turns out to be completely wrong?

Question

like when i was in school, maths teachers would always say: "you have to learn this, cause you won't just be running around with a calculator in your pocket every day when you grow up".

NamerOfStars · Accepted Answer

I got the "you'll use this every day" about algebra, something I typically use less than once a month, but which is, at least, SOMETIMES useful. But my problems with math started earlier. In second grade, we reached the point of learning borrowing- reducing the tens digit by one and taking ten ones, to make subtracting two-digit (or larger) numbers easier. I didn't like borrowing; it took too long. So I made up my own method, using negative numbers. It was faster and easier, and more importantly, it WORKED. Granted, it wasn't what they were teaching, but if you had a seven-year-old inventing new mathematical processes, wouldn't you take notice? All I got was "that's not what we told you to do", followed by "you'll need to do it this way when you get to later forms of math". Wrong on that count.

But the real difficulties came later. You have four pennies. I give you two more. Then I Take away three. Then I give you three more groups of the number you have, then ask you to divide the total into six equally-sized groups. How many are in each? Basic arithmetic, easily comprehensible because it's directly connected to reality. But then comes long division, which isn't connected to the outside- i. e., real- world at all. It's just "this is the procedure you follow".

"But why?" I objected.

"Because it works," I was told.

"Yes, but why does it work?"

"It works, so this is what you do".

You can imagine how well that went over with me, who'd made the same argument and been rejected. Luckily, I wound up switching schools that year, and never actually had to learn long division, and have never suffered for it.

Sun_Kim-Ai · Accepted Answer

To be honest, I actually had a Math teacher that while very enthusiastic about her subject, openly acknoledged that 99% was just useless fluff unto itself.

She said that her goal was less about teaching us Math, and more about stimulating out problem-solving and logical skills.

She would tailor make her tests according to everyone's ability so everyone could pass, although she wouldn't just hand out good grades - she expected you to make an effort.

She also liked to challenge the best students with very difficult problems, though those had no score obviously. I once arrogantly took one of her end-of-year challenge, some Soviet mathematician's extremely complex problem - took two hours to get a solution, and she immediately failed me after glancing at my work. Was lucky that wasn't accounted for final evaluation and was just a game.

sheikalana · Accepted Answer

My teachers doubted I would ever be successful in life. Years later I can proudly say I'm self made and earn more than all of them together. I believe a lot of teachers have miserable lives and are not even happy with what they do for a living a tend to project their insecurities on their students.

Flower7 · Accepted Answer

That a college degree is necessary to get a good job.

DonkeyKong1979 · Answer

They weren't 'completely wrong'. There was no way to know at the time, they made a prediction that proved to be wrong, big difference between that and just being wrong about something already known.

And even though they were wrong with their specific example, their wider point was dead right - you will still want to be able to do basic maths in your head even when we have machines that can do it.

I mean, would you really want to be having to get your phone out like a stupid dumbass every time you wanted to add up some groceries or work out how many minutes are left in the game or any of the other bits of trivial arithmetic we do in our head many times a day while barely even realizing it? Because nobody bothered to teach you how to add up?

Jazzy54 · Answer

Hmm… 🤔 I don’t remember. Either my brain blocked it out or nothing that bad was said to me. At any rate, I’m a substitute teacher and I’m  extremely  careful about what I say to students. Children are impressionable and what adults say to them makes an impact on them, whether positively or negatively. Even when certain students are acting out or otherwise behaving badly, I  never  hit below the belt. Not only would it be wrong of me, but I would also get in trouble. Anyway, I’m a naturally optimistic, positive person who tries to inspire and encourage others. I’m that way in the classroom as well. 😊

WanderingLoveWizard · Answer

"You're a nasty little shit and you're going nowhere in life. You're gonna die alone with a needle in your arm at 25 and no one will come to your funeral" Well guess what... I'm still here bitch!

Anonymous · Answer

Not advice, but somethings that they said which turned out to be completely incorrect.

"You'll excel in the industry"

"You will earn a lot"

"You are one of a kind. I have been teaching for XYZ number of years, trust me when I say, I don't get to see students like you often"

These were mostly college professors.

Now I have one of the lowest salaries from among all of my friends.

PizzaDaddyo · Answer

Yeah, weed killing brain cells. I was born with too many. Haha. Or maybe, they’re right. I’ve just made them few cells stronger. stronger cells better than a shit ton of week ones.

inhua · Answer

the leftist propaganda they shove down the brains of impressionable students

annabananna · Answer

That I was her most attentive student. I’m adhd AF.

JackBlackHeartAttack · Answer

Crazy how that statement is now more false than ever

Aiko_E_Lara · Answer

You need to be right handed (I was left handed when I was at preschool)

Anonymous · Answer

They said I'd need to learn to write, now they don't even teach cursive anymore

Anonymous · Answer

I had a teacher that said I'll never graduate from college if I keep drawing guns on my notebooks

Is there a thing your teachers used to say that turns out to be completely wrong?

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