Teachers claim A-level and GCSE students cannot read analogue clock faces

[Kirsty]

Iv struggled with that when I was younger because it was hard for me to find the longest and the shortest (i dont know the word even in french kek)

They are called ‘hands’.

 

[WildCat]

Dear education system: if you can't beat them, join them...

Put one on their lock screen. Problem solved

 

[Aeolienne]

I kind of prefer the analogue version though, often digital clocks can be a few minutes out either side, fast or slow.

That reminds me of my grandmother saying "I do think Fahrenheit ovens cook so much better than Centigrade ones!"

 

[55853]

That reminds me of my grandmother saying "I do think Farenheit ovens cook so much better than Centigrade ones!"

With your grandmother, there's likely more difference than the temperature unit. Maybe your grandmother was used to cooking in ovens that weren't fan assisted and also used Fahrenheit, and so when she uses a fan assisted oven that also uses Celsius, the food she is cooking doesn't turn out as expected. There were probably more differences than that, but not knowing the mechanics, the only part she sees is the different unit, leading her to either making that association, or simplifying what she knew to sum it up.

Similarly, the mechanism behind analogue clocks is often different, and even if it wasn't, there's also reading error, where if you're not directly in front of the clock, the gap between the hands and the face can mean you read the time incorrectly.

I personally wouldn't roll my eyes at either.

 

[Crossbreed]

It says 11:58 and 54 seconds.

11:57 and 54 seconds. It is approaching 11:58.

 

[Aeolienne]

With your grandmother, there's likely more difference than the temperature unit. Maybe your grandmother was used to cooking in ovens that weren't fan assisted and also used Fahrenheit, and so when she uses a fan assisted oven that also uses Celsius, the food she is cooking doesn't turn out as expected. There were probably more differences than that, but not knowing the mechanics, the only part she sees is the different unit, leading her to either making that association, or simplifying what she knew to sum it up.

Does anyone here know when fan ovens were invented? My grandmother lived from 1914 to 1998 and her last kitchen was fitted in the 80s.

 

[55853]

Does anyone here know when fan ovens were invented? My grandmother lived from 1914 to 1998 and her last kitchen was fitted in the 80s.

Wikipedia says the first was invented in 1945, but I have no idea when they'd have become widespread. It was only an example - I really don't know the history of ovens, that was the only mechanical difference I could think of.

 

[Aeolienne]

Are these students who can't read analogue clock faces any better with negative numbers?
"Cool Cash" card confusion (over a decade old, but still amusing)

Back on topic...This story has also been covered in the Times Educational Supplement. There are some interesting points made in the BTL comments about how dyslexic pupils may struggle with reading analogue clock faces.

 

[Aeolienne]

Still on the subject of exams and timepieces...
Watch ban imposed at GCSE and A-level exams