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March 4, 2011 stated that the middle class cannot afford sending their kids to colleges or universities now due to higher cost of education. He argues that a lot of students do not learn much. His argument is supported by a provocative new book, “Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses” that states undergraduates were below standard in their skills, complex reasoning and writing.
This article discusses how students’ commit less time to their studies and spend more time on social activities. The author made reference that in 1960 students committed more time to their studies than they do now, in addition students prefer to choose an easy major. They do not appear to want to put more effort on academics. They seem more concerned about their grade point average rather than acquiring the skills and technology that will benefit them in the future and therefore benefit communities in general.
The author theorizes that these students are the leaders of the future and if they do not have the skills and critical reasoning their future is uncertain. Studies show that there is a fall in percentages of student’s skills, reasoning and problem solving. If a four year graduate cannot communicate effectively or solve problems efficiently, it will impact society and global economies as a whole. According to the statistics a student spends 36% on study and still has an average grade point of 3. 6 but still lacked technical skills. Due to the lack of effective communication and critical thinking skills, a college graduate will be of no benefit to themselves or their communities because they will be ineffective in problem solving. The above mentioned problems with education have the long term possibility to affect all fields in which communication and critical thinking skills are paramount. Examples include healthcare, scientists, primary and secondary teachers, the Judicial system, etc…
If countries cannot produce students with these critical skills, they will be unable to stand on their own as far as technical, mental and academic proficiency. “Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses” quoted that the majority of students who graduate with their first degree cannot think critically let lone solve a complex problem. Regardless of what their major is, students should at least take one class that requires critical thinking and problem solving skills. Critical thinking is a long process.
Skill improvement is accomplished through day to day activities as is problem solving. Many college students do not take their learning seriously. Professor Richard Arum of New York and Gossip Rooks of University of Virginia stated, “Many students come to college not only poorly prepared by prior schooling for highly demanding academic tasks that ideally lie in front of them, but -? more troubling still -? they enter college with attitudes, norms, values, and behaviors that are often at odds with academic commitment” .
Individuals that seek admission to colleges and universities need to prepare his or her mind and do placement testing to assess his or her readiness. Individuals must have a serious commitment to go to college or university. My opinion this is not a true statement. An example: a student went to class in the morning or evening and came back with a lot of homework and an assignment due in wow days to be turned in online, leaves little time for social activities.
Some professors do not accept late assignments and once you’ve missed the deadline you receive no credit, making it difficult to party and socialize. Since many college students are full time, they have many different assignments to work on at once. More over as the author said, easier major courses have become more popular but in my opinion there are no easy courses in colleges. All courses should require critical analysis and detailed attention before you can successfully complete the course.
The author believes students are now graduating with worthless degrees because they lack reasoning skills and they put less effort into the academics. As I said earlier, many subjects in colleges and universities require critical thinking in one way or the other before students can successfully pass the course. About the authors citation that the amount of time students spent studying dropped by 50% since 1960, the author may be right depending on what method of research he used. However, with new technology students can study anywhere without going to a library.