Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site dartvax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!dartvax!kevins
From: kevins@dartvax.UUCP (Kevin M. Schofield)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Re: Universities, and high school education
Message-ID: <4337@dartvax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Mar-86 19:46:11 EST
Article-I.D.: dartvax.4337
Posted: Mon Mar 24 19:46:11 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Mar-86 04:16:11 EST
References: <3207@sdcc3.UUCP> <12576@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Reply-To: kevins@dartvax.UUCP (Kevin M. Schofield)
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Lines: 64
Keywords: institutions, learning
Summary: 



I have several points to make. Please excuse me if I repeat something that was
said in the past, although I doubt that I will.
 
     1. The purpose of any institution is to "process" persons so that they
will be able to carry out some action that the institution thinks is worthwhile.
This goes for ALL institutions. I know it sounds nasty, but that's what it all
comes down to.
 
     2. The purpose of educational institutions is to process persons so that
they can function in society. This processing involves giving many things to
the student, including knowledge, skills, and yes, an idea of that person's
place in society. Schools aren't there just for academics; they are also there
to socialize the students ( note: socializing has nothing to do with
socialism directly).
 
     3. There are lots of problems with the educational system. Money, bad
teachers, overcrowding, you all know this list by heart. But on top of that,
I feel the real problem is that there is no agreement on exactly what should
be taught in schools. The process is undefined, so the result is also 
undefined.
 
     This all sounds very depressing, so let me shine a spotlight on a
positive part of today's education. I know from firsthand experience that
there are students who simply want to learn. I work on a volunteer basis 
with a fantastic organization called the California Association of Student
Councils, and one of their sub-programs is called the Student Advisory Board
on Education, which proposes ideas for improving education to the CA. State
Board of Education. At their recent conference, which I was privileged to
work at, someone proposed a system where students could audit classes and
there would be no credit for the class and no effect upon the student's 
GPA. After some explanation of the details of the proposal, one student from
the back of the room asked, " If there is no credit and no effect on the GPA,
why would anyone WANT to audit a class?" And the immediate response from the
presentor was, "Just to learn." The room was silent for a moment, then 
suddenly everyone broke into laughter. It hadn't occurred to a room full of
some of the brightest students in California that someone would want to take
a class "just to learn."
    By the way, the Board liked the idea, and immediately put it on next
month's agenda.

    The education system shapes eveyone's lives, and indeed shapes the future.
And unfortunately in a Democracy where everyone has a right to think and
act differently, creating an education system that suits everyone is damn
near impossible.

     All we can do is hope that someone comes up with a solution.
And fast.
  
     I encourage all replies.

-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

             "There may be no heaven,
                        but somewhere there is a San Francisco."

             Kevin M. Schofield '88
             email:  {decvax,ihnp4} !dartvax!kevins
             U.S. Mail:
                 College: H.B. 2908, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755 
                 Real World:  1851 Vallejo Street, St.Helena, CA 94574
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------