Project LIT has been a little ignored lately by it’s founders. All of the writers are college students with hectic schedules, who pull all-nighters, and just barely catch a few minutes to watch Adult Swim every night.
After spending a good part of my weekend doing homework, I wondered why everyone claims that the US is falling behind in education? I’m working my butt off! Do you mean to say that students in Asia don’t even have enough time to watch Peter Griffin fight a giant chicken every night?
This is a topic I’ve been thinking about for a while, since we posted: More focus on research and development in the U.S. is a necessity.
I’ve come to the conclusion that a big reason why the US is falling behind in education, is because of how we perceive education. I must say that most students coming from a middle-class background, from a family who has been in the US for several generations, does not appreciate education the way a first-generation college student from a working or lower class family does.
It’s not big deal for college students to be indulging in some TV or a beer, but our entire mindset is wrong about education.
A new study shows that college students today spend only 16 percent of their time studying or in class and lab, far less than students in previous decades. Nine percent of their time is spent on working, volunteering or club activities, and the rest (75%) is on sleeping and socializing.
via New report: College students only spend 16% of time studying or in class | The Ink.
We go to college expecting to party every weekend and hopefully “find ourselves” before we graduate. It’s pretty much a 4-year long vacation.
In order for the US to rise up regarding education and technology, it has to start with a change in mindset among college students and their families. If students start taking their education more seriously, perhaps the professors’ bell curves are going to change, and they will be forced to make the class more rigorous.
That is how the progress can begin. That is how we can rise up to the powerful country we once were.
Related articles
- In College, A Lack Of Rigor Leaves Students ‘Adrift’ (npr.org)
- “New report: College students only spend 16% of time studying or in class” and related posts (universitypressclub.com)
I agree strongly with the above. Most of the best educated countries have rigorous metrics to measure their school systems and very high standards.
I would also add that it is a socio-cultural problem. Education, and indeed being informed in general, is not valued as much in this country as it should be. We shun and even demonize intellectuals and academia, while glorifying and validating stupidity. Look at how much more attention is lavished on reality TV stars, acerbic pundits, and tabloid media. Consider the example this sets for children.
It doesn’t help that the education field has little to no prestige. If the pay isn’t poor, the sense of dignity certainly is. This deters otherwise bright and dynamic individuals to take their degrees elsewhere and eschew teaching children. In many other cultures and countries, being an educator is a mark of pride, and thus attracts great talent and great support.