British Students Unaware of History?
Saturday July 11, 2009
A British professor was so concerned by his student’s apparent lack of historical knowledge that he made them take a test to see what theyknew. For three years Derek Matthews’ first year economics students had to answer five simple questions, the answers to which he believed every eighteen year old Britain should know. On average they only got one right, and those who had studied history at the previous level knew only 2. Now, I’ve not included this story to berate the British student, but because the report I saw actually gave you the five questions (and the answers) so you can have a go. However, I’m not convinced by the questions. I love history, but I really don’t see why an eighteen year old needs to know the name of a nineteenth century Prime Minister, or where the Boer War was fought. What do you think?
Comments
I had no problem with the first two.
No clue about question 3.
The last two are too modern for my knowledge.
I think it would have been more relevant to the course being taught if the questions had to do with economical history.
Going back to question 1- I thought the Spanish Armada never did attack Britain as a storm destroyed most of it.
This confirms my fears – students today (British, American, it doesn’t seem to matter) do not seem to be getting a very good education. I am appalled at the general lack of knowledge in the population. I got all five correct, though to be fair, I wouldn’t have when I was a first year university student. Let’s hope they gain knowledge with more exposure. Unfortunately, in this day of twitter, history seems to be thought of as irrelevant by some.