Comments on: Intelligence Test http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2006/10/19/intelligence-test/ MP for Wantage and Didcot Thu, 4 Dec 2008 05:58:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Steve Borodin http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2006/10/19/intelligence-test/#comment-49 Mon, 23 Oct 2006 10:43:21 +0000 http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2006/10/19/intelligence-test/#comment-49 The Flesch index is a good one but you realise that it has been subject to inflation over the period of this government. Two examples: I recently sat in with a Masters course in a scientific discipline watching a frustrated lecturer trying to explain to two 23-year-olds that the figure 10 could be cancelled from the top and bottom of an arithmetical expression. Despite a "good first degree in a science subject" they had a sub-11+ grasp of arithmetic (I am 59) and thought this was trickery. I spoke to the lecturer afterwards and he said "it's getting worse every year". I did a course with assorted social science masters and PhD students. They lacked rudimentary verbal reasoning skills. Any argument involving the logical combination of more than one fact made them confused, especially if it challenged preconcieved notions. They usually retired and accused one of being too "rationalistic". Thus, Flesch 18-19 now should be equivalent to pre-Blair approximately 11-12. Education, Education, Education! The Flesch index is a good one but you realise that it has been subject to inflation over the period of this government. Two examples:

I recently sat in with a Masters course in a scientific discipline watching a frustrated lecturer trying to explain to two 23-year-olds that the figure 10 could be cancelled from the top and bottom of an arithmetical expression. Despite a “good first degree in a science subject” they had a sub-11+ grasp of arithmetic (I am 59) and thought this was trickery. I spoke to the lecturer afterwards and he said “it’s getting worse every year”.

I did a course with assorted social science masters and PhD students. They lacked rudimentary verbal reasoning skills. Any argument involving the logical combination of more than one fact made them confused, especially if it challenged preconcieved notions. They usually retired and accused one of being too “rationalistic”.

Thus, Flesch 18-19 now should be equivalent to pre-Blair approximately 11-12. Education, Education, Education!

]]> by: NigelC http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2006/10/19/intelligence-test/#comment-42 Fri, 20 Oct 2006 09:29:00 +0000 http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2006/10/19/intelligence-test/#comment-42 Ed, You do seem to have missed the point that lower scores are better if you want a mass audience. Obviously within the Westminister village different rules may apply. Ed,
You do seem to have missed the point that lower scores are better if you want a mass audience. Obviously within the Westminister village different rules may apply.

]]> by: steve http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2006/10/19/intelligence-test/#comment-41 Fri, 20 Oct 2006 07:29:06 +0000 http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2006/10/19/intelligence-test/#comment-41 ED surely the lower the age score the better. The higher the age to understand just makes people switch off. The clue was in the fact that Clegg has a high score - dull as anything, too complicated etc. no coincidence that DC and TB both have low scores - good charismatic speakers ED

surely the lower the age score the better. The higher the age to understand just makes people switch off. The clue was in the fact that Clegg has a high score - dull as anything, too complicated etc.

no coincidence that DC and TB both have low scores - good charismatic speakers

]]> by: Meriel http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2006/10/19/intelligence-test/#comment-39 Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:57:41 +0000 http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2006/10/19/intelligence-test/#comment-39 As far as I remember about writing for general consumption, you should aim for a reading age of 11-12 is you want to be understood! I think a rating of 19-20 would be appropriate for an audience with PhD level knowledge of the subject. You shouldn't patronise the audience but if you make us work too hard our minds will start to wander to "what's for tea?"! As far as I remember about writing for general consumption, you should aim for a reading age of 11-12 is you want to be understood! I think a rating of 19-20 would be appropriate for an audience with PhD level knowledge of the subject. You shouldn’t patronise the audience but if you make us work too hard our minds will start to wander to “what’s for tea?”!

]]> by: Antony http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2006/10/19/intelligence-test/#comment-38 Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:56:29 +0000 http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2006/10/19/intelligence-test/#comment-38 Intresting Intresting

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