Why do older adults assume kids are stupid today?

[n2ize]

I can tell you that the math is very different and a lot harder now than it was when I was in college. Took a summer math course and I can tell you there was no learning curve. It didn't seem that you were there to learn but to already know. I didn't get the point of taking the course, since if I already knew, I didn't need to take it, but there are those curriculum requirements that state you need to take Math 202, after taking Math 201 which has the prerequisite of Math 143 and Math 123. All those have prerequisites too. The kids in the class knew their stuff and if you haven't grown up with a calculator in your hand, you aren't learning at that point.

Nope. Kudos to the kids in college today. Might not have the common sense of a nail, but they are very smart.

Actually most of the more advanced college level math courses don't require a calculator. I rarely had any need for a calculator when I was studying for my masters degree in mathematics. Most of the courses are theoretical theorem/proof oriented and are about understanding conceptualizations and involve constructing logical arguments as opposed to performing intensive numerical calculations.

Most of the recent undergraduate level MIT courses that I audited are no harder than when I was taking them decades ago. Virtually all of the fundamental theorems are the same. In fact I found some of them easier then when I was taking them as many of the teachers have embellished new approaches to clarify some of the more difficult ideas making it easier for students to grasp them.

Then again it depends on the school, the teacher, etc. Since I don;t know what you mean by math 123, 143, 201, 202 I have no way of knowing what topics you covered. Different schools have different designations for their course numbers.