I think that it’s a fair point to be made that some of the “education” that happens in our academic institutions is sometimes questionable in its effectiveness. Also, that there exists a sizable portion of students that are robbed, or rob themselves of the quality of education that they are capable of achieving. Even within our own department our favorite catch-phrase, “critical thinking”, can sometimes be stretched to its absolute minimum potential.
However, I also think that it’s a tad over-sensationalized in a Chicken Little sort of way. I have a certain degree of skepticism for any study that tackles such an intricate and complicated question and comes so cleanly to the conclusion that “those damn kids today… they just don’t make ’em like they used to.”
It is always commendable to strive for something better, so the aim of the article, as well as the results of the studies it cites are worth considering. I just don’t think that writing an entire generation off as ignorant and lazy is either accurate or fair and lacks any sort of originality. I’m left with the equally unoriginal yet time-honored reaction to such a strategy.
“You just don’t get it old people, you just don’t get it”.
I think that it’s a fair point to be made that some of the “education” that happens in our academic institutions is sometimes questionable in its effectiveness. Also, that there exists a sizable portion of students that are robbed, or rob themselves of the quality of education that they are capable of achieving. Even within our own department our favorite catch-phrase, “critical thinking”, can sometimes be stretched to its absolute minimum potential.
However, I also think that it’s a tad over-sensationalized in a Chicken Little sort of way. I have a certain degree of skepticism for any study that tackles such an intricate and complicated question and comes so cleanly to the conclusion that “those damn kids today… they just don’t make ’em like they used to.”
It is always commendable to strive for something better, so the aim of the article, as well as the results of the studies it cites are worth considering. I just don’t think that writing an entire generation off as ignorant and lazy is either accurate or fair and lacks any sort of originality. I’m left with the equally unoriginal yet time-honored reaction to such a strategy.
“You just don’t get it old people, you just don’t get it”.