I have taught some undergrad classes, and must say that part of this is that students run to the regents for failing to do the required work in about 20% of the cases, and perform at barely adequate levels about 40-50% of the time. They whine about haveing to do work, and then complain when they aren't "walked" to a grade. It is the biggest bunch of slackers I have ever seen.
I interview students at the beginning of a class, asking what the student expects from the class. 40% of students respond with "det an 'A' or good grade." At the conclusion of the individual interviews, I give them an assignment: What do you expect to do to meet your expectations, and what do you expect of me?
Adult stiudents are worse than out of high school versions, but not by much.
The knowledge gap is being caused by slacker students demanding what they are not entitled to: a free ride; and by instructors who would rather coddle them with undeserved grades than having a backbone and making the students work and learn.
I remember my graduate studies: halfway through the program I buried a parent, finished a licensing course, and was working at a job full-time. I delivered liturgy at that funeral, in which I was a pallbearer, had to find a way to access the internet to turn in assignments the day of the funeral, and still managed to maintain grades to graduate with high honors.
In my studies I averaged 6,000 emails with cohorts, wrote up to 10 individual, and 2 team papers a week, read 1-2 books a week, plus ancillary research, and still made time for family, and friends.I am a father of three active children. I don't miss their important performances or events. I still maintain a rigorous reading schedule, poring through up to 180 journals a month on all sorts of topics.I want to learn all I can in this life.
Yet, I see students bellyache over written assignments, and cry because they don't want to stand up before their peers to present their findings. We turn out poor quality students because we are too lax. Even my children say that their peers are lazy, and cannot understand why they won't apply themselves and learn something. They work hard, are involved in sports, and still have time for a social life.
Honestly, I cannot understand why we tolerate a lack of effort, and reward laziness. We have the greatest nation on the planet, in terms of opportunity and freedom, but we lack the responsibility and hunger to preserve it. No wonder the country is so screwed up.
-- I am always interested in your comments.
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