As an adult student resuming her education, I cannot help but be appalled by the behavior exhibited by my peers in this article. Education, in my mind, is all about individual growth and the research presented in this article reveals that many of my colleagues are more concerned about grades than they are about the actual knowledge they take away from the experience.
The article reveals that instructors are now being tasked with having to explain to their students that the grade they receive should be inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. I found it troubling that college professors now have to "re-teach" students about what education is truly all about; reading for knowledge and writing to explore ideas.
While I can relate to my peers in their quest for high marks, I believe that simply focusing on grades is an exercise in mediocrity. It is only when one pursues their educational interests in a meaningful and genuine way that excellence is achieved.
The pursuit of exceptional grades in school should not be considered an appalling behavior. Roosevelt did not look at all of the sides of the issue of grade standards, he predominately considered the professors opinions of students. When required work is done understanding of the material will reflect and produce high grades. Even in the college system grades are not taught to be inconsequential. If they were students would be looked at poorly if they received low grades and would not be disqualified from certain privileges and programs that the school offers. Even colleges offer incentives for students to receive high grades, from awards to being put first on the list for scheduling and petitioning. Self entitlement does not have as much to do with the issue as incentive and motivation do. But Roosevelt does not consider those factors.
ReplyDeleteAppalled at the behavior of fellow students? I got a little background on the study done at the University of Irvine. There were 839 participants and all were students of the university. Irvine is in Orange County, southern California and it's not shocking at all that roughly a third of those surveyed feel a sense of entitlement. Not to say that their feelings should be validated, but they are all coming from a system of honor rolls and valedictorians where for many your final GPA determines your future.
ReplyDeleteGranted the expectant students are ridiculous but the lollipop land where you can go to school for the joy of learning does not exist inside these boarders. With times like they are, if your enrolled in college and not expectant about your grades you'd better damn well better be expectant about your future because those grades you don't care about might define it.
I too find it troubling that professors are having to "re-teach" students, inspire them to explore through writing. At this point in our lives as students shouldn't we already have a dream or sense of exploration? If it didn't manifest yet can professors trying to backtrack the programing of public education really help us find it?
I would love nothing better if education were pursued simply for the knowledge contained therein, and I do, deep down, believe in that. However I would never expect many others to convert or genuinely agree in a manner of actionable conviction. The situation I find myself in, along with many others, is that it is naive to pursue education for any reason other than high marks, fancy degrees, and six figure jobs. Fortunately, for the time being, I don't have to worry about any of that because I'm going to be a Journalist! (well I still worry about the high marks and the fancy degrees, but I think I'm a shoo-in for six figures)
Granted the expectant students are rediculous but the lolipop land where you can go to school for the joy of learning does not exist inside these boarders. Especially now with times like they are if your enrolled in college and not expectant about your grades you'd better damn well be expectant about your future because thoes grades you don't care about might depend on it.
I also find it troubling that professors are having to "re-teach" students. At this point in our lives as students shouldn't we already have a dream? If we didn't manifest yet can professors trying to backtrack the programing of public education really help us find it?
I would love nothing better if education were pursued simply for knowledge contained therein, and I do, deep down, believe in that principal. However I would never expect many others to convert or genuinly agree in a manner of actionable conviction. the situation I find myself in, along with many others, is that it is naive to pursue education for any reason other than high marks, fancy degrees, and six figure jobs. Fortunatly, I want to major in journalism so I don't really have to worry about any of that. :)