The attitude of a majority of the students I teach has changed over the last decade, and probably over a longer period. The commitment to excellence is replaced by a commitment to the least investment necessary for getting a passing grade. If students are assigned homework readings in Greek Drama or the German philosophers they complain because the material "is too hard" in their opinion. I believe the students are intelligent, but that there is a cultural element among the young people that inhibits the creative learning process. The student I get that are in their 30's and 40's are typically excellent students who have an entirely different attitude towards education, which is very positive. I do not see evidence that the bell curve is the same. I see more students who are under educated in high school and are entering college at a disadvantage because they are compromised by a cultural element that is counter productive to academic achievement. The system does not have in place a methodology for effectively dealing with behavioral issues and cultural influences. In my humble opinion I do not believe that improvements in education can proceed without serious attention to the behavioral and cultural issues that compromise student opportunities to learn. American students in general do not prize education as an essential achievement. Until they do, I fear that educational levels will reflect the low aspirations of students. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Hord" To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 10:01 AM Subject: Re: [OT] Units rant > Perhaps it's not the educational system which is getting worse, but the > clay they have to mold? > > Mike H. > > On 6/17/07, Rich wrote: >> I don't know about the US having the worst education system in the world. >> I >> have been teaching college for some years and the students that have come >> to >> me in the last decade are an embarrassment. Most of them have not >> developed >> basic reading and writing skills. The can pronounce the words they read >> (for the most part) but they have some difficulty in ascertaining the >> meaning of what they have read. The essay assignments are in general a >> disaster. But in every class there are a few students who are brilliant >> and >> that is the redeeming value of teaching. > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist