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This article relates to modern-day students and Edmundson’s perception of what education is for his pupils. Himself being an instructor at the prestigious University of Virginia, he recollects imagery of his students and their generic attitudes, while educating themselves.
What education is to the new generation and how the instructors or teachers try to give the students a comfort zone in which they can have a good interaction with each other, are portrayed in this write-up? The author says that this is what today’s education system comprises, but he dislikes it. The article begins with an evaluation of the teacher of this specific art being undertaken by the students. He is sure of the fact that he will be praised for his eloquent style of teaching. He is also certain of the fact that he would be eulogized for his efforts in creating a pleasant atmosphere whilst imparting education. If I were in his shoes, I would feel the same.
The class normally initiates with a kick start by the teacher asking things related to the students’ early days, or the like. This helps create and develop an interest in them, and then the subject of the day is proceeded with. What the author tries to imply, on further reading, is that the students normally tend to give their opinion related to the course or their teacher, which dissatisfies him. The pupils mostly say they ‘enjoyed’ their course or teacher, and this response is not what Edmundson worked for. What he would want his students to feel, would be a change in their personas. He was not teaching for them to enjoy their classes, or to seek pleasure from being present in the classroom, but he wanted these fifty students under his supervision and lectureship, to gain knowledge in the real sense, and transform as a result of what they had learned, rather than merely benefit from him. This is also a praiseworthy element of the article, which is commendable in my opinion.
Edmundson appreciates the respondents when they state their delight in the reception of the course and the educators’ methods of teaching. However, he depreciates it simultaneously, by saying “thanks but no thanks” on the students’ remarks, because he feels a sense of dislike erupting within him. The reason being, that he had not aimed at delighting his students, but had always wished to invoke the inner beings of the statues sitting in front of him. He wants his students to “measure themselves against what they have read”; this is undoubtedly the true definition of education and knowledge. Basically what needs to be seen is, is the intention of the teacher and the students, which is primarily to gain insight into life, and live with maximum civility. Knowledge is left incomplete without application, and this can be exercised only in those individuals who have gained something from their mentors.
Following, the article gives an example of one of Edmundson’s students named Joon Lee, who is gifted with immense talent, has read many books and is praised by all his teachers. The point that needs to be raised is that he does not possess any distinguishable characteristic as compared to his other brilliant counterparts of his. What has made him special is his way of thinking, and how he is brave to go in his way in every matter and is ready to be at “odds with almost anyone”. This is true for personality development to take place, and is associated with today’s mode of education. Whatever is imparted to the students should be implemented uniquely by each entity, and not be influenced by some external might. This is a strongly agreeable factor, which molds personalities.
It is said in the same context, that students are who they are because this is the generational style of gaining an education. I disagree with this notion, as it is the enthusiasm of the student that can carry him forth distinctively. The other students with Joon Lee are simply not determined enough for the quest for knowledge, the way he is. He has a different way of looking at things, which makes him a unique being.
The television culture and its impact on the youth of today have been included in the text, Edmundson says that the advertisements that are being shown on the media are all depicting the personalities of individuals using the products, rather than the products themselves. Students tend to act like the people they watch on television and pretend to be what they are not. This is how media culture is affecting today’s students’ lives.
The “laid-back norm” that is spoken of in the article is factual, in the sense that true emotions are not to be seen anywhere these days. It has been made to sense that if the real feelings regarding anything are portrayed, it will be an estrangement in society.
This article is a good and realistic lesson for the youth of today to learn and adapt new ways of changing their thought process regarding educational attainment.
Reference
Edmundson, Mark (1997). On the uses of Liberal Education: 1. as lite entertainment for bored college students. (Cover Story). Harper’s Magazine 295.n1768 (1997): pp 39 (11). Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale. University of Colorado Boulder. Web.
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