this is better than spelling bee as it is more about facts than just words. though it is only about geography but if it was a science or business bee then it would be really big achievement. but anyway ,well done !
Re: not a spelling bee
by David Coulthard on Jun 05, 2014 08:46 PM
what is the actual use of all these spelling bee competitions? how does it serve self or others? zero: except the winner and competition company laugh their way to the bank; ever wondered why only Indians win but are never heard of again??
Re: Re: not a spelling bee
by Setu Madhavan on Jun 05, 2014 10:41 PM
Have you begun 'Ever wondering' only after INdians began winning? What about the 50 years that Indians didnt win the spelling bee, did you wonder then as well, seeing that Indians have begun winning the spelling bee only in the last 7 odd years? The spelling bee was there for 50 years before that. How come these questions were not raised all these years prior to the Indian kids' winning streak?
As for the INdian kids never being heard off again, well that is because they are pursuing their higher education.
Re: Re: not a spelling bee
by Dev on Jun 06, 2014 04:00 PM
who cares if they are never heard again..they win money dude!! $50K is money in any language.Im sure millions of americans would like their kids to win $50K.its the capitalist game..mooLAH.its bettter than washing dishes at McDonalds for 10 years
Re: Re: not a spelling bee
by inder on Jun 06, 2014 11:06 PM
While I don't have statistics, kids in speeling bees all have amazing vocabulary which correlate highly with good communications skills and cognitive ability. coupled with good work ethic, communication skills are highly correlated with success.
Re: Re: Re: not a spelling bee
by Kathir Krishnamurthi on Jun 07, 2014 07:37 PM
It is all well. We need immigrants children who can shine in many other diverse activities in arts, dance, sports etc.. It will come...
Indians wrongly lay stress on accumulating facts rather than imagination, logical and creative thinking. Such undue emphasis on accumulating facts, which are readily accessible, will undoubtedly damage children’s creativity. We should encourage Indians parents to train kids for the International Olympiads in maths and science rather than turn their children into fact accumulating robots.
Re: Imagination versus rote!
by AK on Jun 05, 2014 05:09 PM
Dont you worry. Our guys will start umpteen 'structured' coaching centres for that as well and start winning there as well. I guess they already are there. Whatever format of exam u bring in our guys will master the technique of 'training' for that particular exam but would never focus on sharpening their raw intelligence or creativity. One fine example is what has come of this IIT-JEE.
Re: Imagination versus rote!
by Abhik RayChaudhury on Jun 05, 2014 11:27 PM
Agree with you. Indian schools do not teach how to be innovative in thinking. They teach how to learn by the rote, memorizing everything and vomit it out in the exams. Thats how we all were taught (!). This is the main reason India lags pathetically in research and innovation. Many Indian immigrants try to enforce this practice to their children here. Success in the spelling bee is probably, at least partially, due to this phenomenon.
Re: Imagination versus rote!
by Varadarajan Ravindran on Jun 05, 2014 11:40 PM
You are absolutely correct. These people are not original thinkers and do not create much impact at the higher level.
Re: coaching
by Setu Madhavan on Jun 05, 2014 10:42 PM
Coaching centers for Bee contest have existed for decades in the US, even before Indian kids began excelling in them.
