Right now, I'm sitting in the UNC computer lab, and there are people complaining about their professor copying a 40 page reading sideways. There are also grumblings about him giving a quiz on a 22 page reading, and a girl's finger that gets tired as it flips through a long powerpoint.
This makes me think of two things: 1) How much we take things (like a chance at education) for granted, and 2) How do our educational standards compare to those of other countries?
As for the second point, I've read different accounts that say the US is falling behind in education, like this one: http://kapio.kcc.hawaii.edu/upload/fullnews.php?id=52 . An excerpt:
In both studies, Finland, Australia, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands and the United Kingdom beat the United States, while the Asian nations of South Korea, Japan and Singapore ranked first through third, respectively.
Why is that? Is it because we're becoming too lax, or lazy? Is it because solid education just isn't as important as it used to be? I couldn't tell you, but I have to wonder if students in South Korea would be acting the way I just observed.
2 comments:
From what I remember of the international students at CMU, particularly the Koreans, it depended. A lot of them wouldn't ever go to class but they'd manage to ace everything anyhow - which seems to imply a really solid work ethic, at least. Some of them had trouble adjusting and didn't do as well, but I think that in general it's safe to say that they seemed to be quite motivated, perhaps more so than the average "American" student. It would be interesting to observe the culture in one of those Asian countries first hand.
You bring up some really good points. What motivates a student? What motivates a society to put firm standards and expectations on education? My guess is that with our current economic situation, the education system will improve, as people start to feel the more immediate need to be well educated to help turn things around. Or, maybe that's just my wishful thinking for some good to come of a bad situation.
BTW, how is Andres' job search going? I'm not sure how crazy the two of you would be about relocating, particularly given your educational plans, but if you have any thoughts at all of the East coast - I've heard that a LOT of the agencies around here are currently hiring people with Andres' skill set. Just a thought. :-)
I agree, it would be interesting. I've wondered a lot how the economy is going to change things; I suppose only time will tell for sure.
Moving is always an option; I am planning on being finished in 2012 at UNC, and we don't have anything definitive planned for after that. He's found some places that look promising, although none are in our town . . .
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