Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Study: Many college students not learning to think critically | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/01/18/106949/study-many-college-students-not.html

:::An unprecedented study that followed several thousand undergraduates through four years of college found that large numbers didn't learn the critical thinking, complex reasoning and written communication skills that are widely assumed to be at the core of a college education.

Many of the students graduated without knowing how to sift fact from opinion, make a clear written argument or objectively review conflicting reports of a situation or event, according to New York University sociologist Richard Arum, lead author of the study. The students, for example, couldn't determine the cause of an increase in neighborhood crime or how best to respond without being swayed by emotional testimony and political spin.:::

Save the debate, ok? Blog your own opinion of course, but fight the urge to anonymously or namely bash my remarks here....

But spoiled adult children is the most common outflow from 'higher education'. The majority of adults today can't form a coherent sentence and at least 90% of the 'college' groupies I know totally lack in plain old fashioned COMMON SENSE. Thousands of dollars in debt, they still lack any real practical *skills* for building a career unless someone else provides them with an outlet for their book learning.

No, not *everyone* obviously....doctors, maybe lawyers come to mind quick...but exactly what practical skills do you glean from years of books and lectures costing thousands and hundreds of thousands of dollars? When all those large corporations go belly up or shift overseas, what everyday practical life skills do you have to make a living? A Bachelor of Arts degree gives you what, precisely? That fancy paper saying you have uber-credits and an Associates degree leves you with what skills, exactly?

Book learning is the backbone of the world. I'm not debating that. But if you're willing to ride that decades-long debt wagon, and your scope of education encompasses skills of a shadowy nature, what exactly have you gained in the end? Self satisfaction? That won't pay your bills or feed your family. You'll be exactly what this study shows....a debt-ridden incoherent job-seeker.

Soapbox closed. Blog your nasty comments on your own space, ok?

5 comments:

Unknown said...

I agree! I've also had my eyes opened the past year how little education high school students have. I've been amazed at their lack of dictation skills and their very poor spelling habits. I'm glad we are able to home educate our children.
Blessings,
Rashel

Naturally Blessed Mama said...

Amen Sister!

Greg and Donna said...

is quietly saying amen! Another well spoken post. Voddie Bauchum has some great sermons/talks about this. I do have one son graduating this spring and one whom I am hoping doesn't become a career college student. I wish I had known all these truths 5 years ago before we started. So far, no debt for them, which is a blessing.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree, I see it everyday at work. They are ruining our great nation by having no idea what they are doing, unwilling to learn but were placed in the position by their rich family with connections.

Islem Tav said...

YES!! So well said!! I've been doing a lot of thinking about this recently, since we have a 16 year-old son we are homeschooling. He's in 11th grade. Your post explains so well what my reaction to this whole college thing. I must share with my husband and my son.

I am enjoying your blogs very much, BTW. Thank you for all your writings and encouragement.

Jer.6:16

Jeremiah 6:16
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

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