School Podcast 'The Boss' - Not Necessarily High School as the Optimal Decision for Everyone's Future - Alternative Education Pathways Might Not Always Be high School
In the latest episode of the podcast "Die Boss - Macht ist weiblich," renowned cognitive psychologist and professor of teaching and learning research at ETH Zurich, Elsbeth Stern, delves into the complexities of intelligence and its role in education. Hosted by Simone Menne, the podcast features prominent women discussing their lives and careers.
Contrary to some expectations, the episode does not provide any new information about Elsbeth Stern's research or her views on the distribution of intelligence between the sexes or the percentage of people above or below average intelligence. It also does not discuss the desire of many parents to classify their child as above average intelligent and enable them to attend grammar school, a topic previously explored by Stern.
Stern, known for her work on intelligence, learning, and educational assessment, has been a pioneer in her field. She has critically analysed intelligence testing and advocated for more nuanced approaches that consider multiple factors beyond traditional IQ measures. In the podcast, she argues against the notion that half of the students should attend grammar school, as it would skew the average in areas where the distribution of intelligence is largest.
Stern emphasises the importance of understanding intelligence as a complex, multifaceted construct and cautions against simplistic uses of intelligence tests for high-stakes educational decisions such as grammar school admission, as these tests can be biased or insufficient to fully capture a student's potential.
Interestingly, the episode does touch upon the roles of universities, teachers, and parents, as well as the implications when one's boss is less intelligent. However, it does not appear to focus on intelligence tests or social or emotional intelligence research.
"Die Boss - Macht ist weiblich" is published by stern, which belongs to RTL Germany, and is released every 14 days on Wednesdays on stern.de, RTL, and major podcast platforms. The podcast is a thought-provoking discussion on various topics, offering insights from influential women in different fields.
Despite the focus on the complexities of intelligence and its role in education, the episode does not delve into the Commission's proposal for a directive on worker safety concerning ionizing radiation. Instead, it offers valuable insights on personal growth, career development, and education-and-self-development, as Stern shares her thoughts on the roles of universities, teachers, and parents, and the implications of having a less intelligent boss.
