Basic skills that kids are lacking

[symbolipoint]

Depends on what you do. Apparently nothing biological involving plants, animals, of fungi.

The trouble some of us find in intro/beginning/general/principles-of Biology is that too many topics so diverse and taught too shallowly in too short a time. That kind of material drives away the physical science, mathematical, and engineering type people. If some of them could just get through the generalized too-diverse-too-fast stuff, then they may find a more specific course (Botany, Intro. Microbiology,..) to be much more structured and stimulating. And potentially more practical.

 

[sbrothy]

The trouble some of us find in intro/beginning/general/principles-of Biology is that too many topics so diverse and taught too shallowly in too short a time. That kind of material drives away the physical science, mathematical, and engineering type people. If some of them could just get through the generalized too-diverse-too-fast stuff, then they may find a more specific course (Botany, Intro. Microbiology,..) to be much more structured and stimulating. And potentially more practical.

Although I reluctantly see the meaning in @BillTre 's statement I agree with you too. But I guess that's one of biologys weaknesses (strengths?), that it's so diverse that it's hard to give an overview in a single semester or even two. Depending of course what you want to study...