McClean whinging again.

[John2]

John,
Would you say that in the universities kids are left to do the work themselves? When I look at what has happened with my 2 kids who both attended university if they didn't work hard then they didn't achieve. The professors gave them the topics and the guidance they needed to put together their course work but there was little help after that.
It therefore came down to the intelligence and determination of the student.

I can only speak for my own experience but I certainly wasn't taught "what" to think. Academics generally like to be intellectually challenged, the quality of the argument given is what decides the score, not whether they personally agree with it or not.

I also couldn't tell you the political leanings of anybody who taught me at University, I wouldn't even like to guess.

I'm in agreement with vaterland_miller, not at university level but at a school level. It's been going on for years in the UK that the main objective has been to pass exams by following the course work. There is very little time to debate for the kids, few sports clubs and fewer youth clubs for kids to develop into adults. They know that only by following the teachers and what they say is the only way to get the passes needed to advance. Is this educating kids to pass exams.

I agree 100% that kids at school are taught how to pass exams and I think it's a very poor way to best prepare them for life. My teacher friends agree too.

Universities and schools are completely different in how they teach.

I wasn't really comparing those issues in schools with the comments about universities, it was more to illustrate my surprise when people express strong opinions on subject matters I'm unsure how they could have experienced.

[frogmiller]

I can only speak for my own experience but I certainly wasn't taught "what" to think. Academics generally like to be intellectually challenged, the quality of the argument given is what decides the score, not whether they personally agree with it or not.

I also couldn't tell you the political leanings of anybody who taught me at University, I wouldn't even like to guess.



I agree 100% that kids at school are taught how to pass exams and I think it's a very poor way to best prepare them for life. My teacher friends agree too.

Universities and schools are completely different in how they teach.

I wasn't really comparing those issues in schools with the comments about universities, it was more to illustrate my surprise when people express strong opinions on subject matters I'm unsure how they could have experienced.

Thanks

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Thanks

But the john2 yawnfest continues

( there will now be a short delay whilst he finds something to cut and paste)

[John2]

But the john2 yawnfest continues

This thought-provoking retort that you've definitely not used about 50 times before (because you're not desperate to try and convince me you don't care what I think) is keeping everyone well-stimulated.

Bravo on such an excellent contribution.