Posted on 02/01/2005 7:49:56 PM PST by franksolich
History textbook confuses students
A publisher has agreed to amend a high school textbook that teachers said confused students into equating Norway's government under Nazi occupation and its post-war return to democracy.
History teachers at Asker Upper Secondary School protested after finding that a textbook covering Norwegian history after 1850 made complex and controversial comparisons between occupied and post-war Norway.
The text argued that "both put great weight on ideology and modern propaganda" and that their methods led to both forms of government being controversial.
"The book erases the separation between democracy and dictatorship. This can be dangerous in a time where one knows that history repeats itself," said teacher Johanne Volden.
The school ordered the textbooks 'nearly unseen' after being satisfied with the volumes on earlier time periods but soon found what they felt were fundamental errors.
History teachers called the book a scandal, partly due to its coverage of the war and post-war Norway in a single chapter called "Solidarity, growth and indoctrination".
"We expect a minimum of correct interpretation of historical events in a textbook. The author cannot take liberties at the cost of fundamental societal perceptions. The students are left with the impression that (post-war prime minister) Gerhardsen was just as bad as Quisling and Terboven," said history teacher Sissel Frogg.
The teachers say the text has created chaos, leaving many students with the impression that Nazi occupation was a high point in Norwegian history. Grades have dropped and confidence in textbooks plummeted.
The teachers at the school claimed that the author, May-Brith Ohman Nielsen, at best has little understanding of student background knowledge, and presents complex historical analysis before supplying basic information.
"Such academic exercises should be left to forums other than textbooks," said teacher Inge Johnsen.
Head of the publishers, Nina Refseth, quickly agreed to remove the "unfortunate" passage claiming democracy was controversial, but argued that the criticisms calling the book a scandal were exaggerated.
Refseth argued that the text was mean to stimulate critical thought and to spark discussions about the similarities and differences in historical periods.
Students argued that their workload was such that they didn't have time to dissect textbooks, and they expected their books to be accurate.
You're on, sir, and I thank you, because I am, uh, rather worried lest the "Norway ping list" be the shortest ping list on Free Republic.
The purpose of the "Norway ping list" is to illuminate Free Republicans more about the history and culture (weekends) and the news (weekdays) of Norway, our valiant allies in the War against Terror.
One of our friends here insisted a few weeks ago that Free Republicans are "anti-Norway," and even though I have no dog in this fight, I decided to do something about it.
The "Norway ping list" is still a "work in process," and needs fine-tuning; but it is encouraging that while the first thread elicited less than 100 "views" and no responses, there was one earlier this week that provoked more than 1200 "views," and circa 130-140 responses.
I see your main interest is education, though, and so perhaps this might not be of interest to you. And so if you wish not to be on the "Norway" list, or if you wish to be on the "Norway" list (which I sincerely hope you do), please advise.
Oops, I was fooled by the name.
My apologies, sir.
I hope you don't carry a gun.
I don't think they'll have much regard for gubmint employee pension-seekers, whether lie-spewing teachers or other so-called members of the gubmint 'helping professions' when the moment arrives.
In some of those European countries, some of those are state supported at private schools. Seems like it hasn't made them any more conservative, in fact quite the opposite.
I don't expect the students to be conservatives - quite the contrary!
I hope and pray that they will be radical and revolutionary enough to toss the socialist predators, scavengers, and parasites out on their public-sector *sses!
I cannot imagine, given the stultifying conformity of their government-respecting elders, that it will take less than such an overturning to smash socialism.
I cannot imagine, given the stultifying conformity of their government-respecting elders, that it will take less than such an overturning to smash socialism.
Actually, it seems as though they are supporting it instead.
Therefore, socialism will triumph?
Am I misreading you?
Therefore, socialism will triumph? NO NO NO NO NO:)
Am I misreading you?
Definitely misreading me. Thanks for asking. I'm just saying that their "superior" education systems seem to help make them more liberal. Certainly they are not as religious as a generation or two ago.
No socialism will NOT triumph, but the good of man will. In the end, those who "let their lights so shine" will triumph over those who promote their one-sided political agendas at the expense of others. Ronald Reagan comes to mind.
Nothing against Nebraska at all, btw; traditionally fine football, always GREAT steaks.
And I recall how excited I was when it was announced that rationing was going to end. I thought, then, that everything would be FREE...
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