Layin' Down the Knowledge: Elsbeth Stern on Intelligence and Grammar Schools
- By Isa von Heyl
- 2 Min
High School Prospect: 'The Boss' Podcast Examines Possibility of Not Suiting Every Kid for Traditional High School System - High School isn't the right fit for every child, as portrayed in 'The Boss'.
Hone your senses, pluck your wit, or polish your intellect - there's no denying that sharp-witted folks have an edge in life. But what is the essence of intelligence? Can it be boiled down to a scientific formula? Enter Elsbeth Stern, a brainiac in education research, dishing the deets in the stern podcast "Die Boss."
Hosted by multi-board member Simone Menne, this episode nibbles on the bone of what we mean by intelligence and why the social or emotional realm isn't part of Elsbeth Stern's research. "I ain't a fan when folks harp on social or emotional intelligence," the professor says, "since the measuring tools in that area ain't up to snuff compared to the caliber of our traditional intelligence tests."
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How's intelligence distributed among folks, you might ask? Word on the street is that 70 percent of people fall within an average range, and the remaining 30 percent are either above or below the norm. Curiously, there's no variance in the average intelligence between genders. However, research points out that at the extremes, there's a disproportionate number of men on the lower and higher ends, suggesting that the pool of gifted individuals is skewed. But fret not, there are still plenty of smart women up there.
When the subject of parents vying to have their child recognized as bright as a bulb and sent to grammar school comes up, Elsbeth Stern knocks 'em down with her candor:
"If you consider intelligence is smack in the middle, then it's a bit twisted to claim half the students should attend grammar school, 'cause hey, you'll jack up the average where that bell curve is thickest."
So, what's her take on schools, teachers, bosses, and the intellectual pecking order? Find out in the newest episode of the stern podcast "Die Boss - Power is Female," available every 14 days on stern.de and RTL, plus all major podcast platforms!
- Intellect
- Scholarly Institution
- Elsbeth Stern
- Simone Menne
- Podcast
- Intelligence
Extra Insights:
When it comes to intelligence, traditional tests focus on cognitive abilities like logic, problem-solving, and memory. Although these skills are crucial for academic success, they don't encompass the full spectrum of human intelligence. For example, emotional intelligence, involving skills like empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, is vital for personal and social well-being but isn't typically measured by standard intelligence tests.
- In an unusual twist, the Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, focusing on education-and-self-development and personal-growth, as learning new skills is essential for understanding and managing such risks.
- Despite her focus on traditional cognitive aspects of intelligence, Elsbeth Stern acknowledges the importance of ongoing education-and-self-development for intellectual growth, as it broadens our understanding of the world and fosters personal-growth, aligning with the values of lifelong learning and self-improvement.
