Bruce Makoto Arnold, PhD
  • Profile
    • Home
    • About
    • CV >
      • Education
      • Publications
      • Scholarly Interests
      • Courses Offered
      • Digital Humanities
    • Cheers and Jeers >
      • In Writing
      • Thanks-in-Gifts
      • Cheers in Cheesecake!
    • Miscellany >
      • Self-Aggrandizement
      • My Hosts File
  • Current, Prospective, and Former Students
    • Current Students >
      • Frequently Asked Quesitons
      • Can You Help Me Proof My Essay?
      • Materials from Previous Classes >
        • U.S. History to 1877
        • U.S. History From 1877
        • History of Childhood
        • History of Modern [U.S.] Education
        • Asian American History
      • Student Wiki
      • How-To Documents and Videos
    • Prospective Students >
      • Undergraduate
      • Graduate
      • Can I Study With You via Distance Education?
      • Grades Given in the Past
    • Former Students
  • Publications
    • Books
    • Articles and Book Chapters
    • Dissertation and Theses
    • Grey Matter (Presentations, etc)
    • Online Projects
  • Contact

Two people who share my thoughts re: coddling students

3/13/2013

0 Comments

 
One of my consistent grips with the state of some colleges is that they coddle their students. One class of university does this for a living since their shareholders require it. However, I've noticed that a great many administrators are worried about their bottom lines, as well. Also, there seem to be some administrators who simply can't stand to see students "suffer" in any way; and I use "suffer" in the most liberal way possible, here. 

It's no surprise to anyone who reads my web pages that I believe in the Pygmalion Effect. I believe that most people will level themselves to the expectations to which they're held. If you lower the bar, most will be happy to step over it. Raise it, and expect them to reach it, most will try and many will succeed. Some will fret while attempting it, but studies have shown that self-concern gives rise to creativity. Some won't quite reach the ultimate pinnacle  but they'll still be better off than everyone who reached the lower bar. In other words discomfort is ok--it's actually good for you. Many people can't grasp this simple, proven concept. 


No one wants to see anyone suffer, but our first world realities have taken "suffering" to its moderate extreme. Feeling bad about a test score isn't suffering. Taking that B instead of the seemingly-important A and regretting that you chose a "difficult" course isn't suffering. Having to change an old writing habit or to learn a slightly different paragraph structure isn't suffering. Having to memorize the who, what, where, when, why, how, and significance of a historical topic isn't suffering. 

At the university level, this is problematic since there are going to be large amounts of people that should be tested and should be given obstacles to overcome. Of course this will cause some discomfort, of course this will cause ruffled feathers, of course this will send many into administrators' offices crying, whining, and gnashing their teeth. The right thing: encourage them to believe in themselves.The wrong thing: asking the world to lower its bar for them. No one is suffering here--they're learning.

These are people who are growing--let them experience growing pains.

http://intheworksblog.com/2011/03/05/dear-college-stop-coddling-your-students/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/05/opinion/05herbert.html


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Article Blog

    From time-to-time I find interesting articles about the state of universities, the field of history, etc. I'll post them here just in case anyone else is interested.

    Archives

    February 2016
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    February 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011

    Categories

    All
    Academic Elitism
    Alternative History Specializations
    Cognitive Bias
    Funny
    History And The State Of The Field
    Logical Fallacies
    Poor Writing
    Undergraduate Education

    RSS Feed

Follow me on Academia.edu
© COPYRIGHT 2017 Bruce Makoto Arnold
  • Profile
    • Home
    • About
    • CV >
      • Education
      • Publications
      • Scholarly Interests
      • Courses Offered
      • Digital Humanities
    • Cheers and Jeers >
      • In Writing
      • Thanks-in-Gifts
      • Cheers in Cheesecake!
    • Miscellany >
      • Self-Aggrandizement
      • My Hosts File
  • Current, Prospective, and Former Students
    • Current Students >
      • Frequently Asked Quesitons
      • Can You Help Me Proof My Essay?
      • Materials from Previous Classes >
        • U.S. History to 1877
        • U.S. History From 1877
        • History of Childhood
        • History of Modern [U.S.] Education
        • Asian American History
      • Student Wiki
      • How-To Documents and Videos
    • Prospective Students >
      • Undergraduate
      • Graduate
      • Can I Study With You via Distance Education?
      • Grades Given in the Past
    • Former Students
  • Publications
    • Books
    • Articles and Book Chapters
    • Dissertation and Theses
    • Grey Matter (Presentations, etc)
    • Online Projects
  • Contact