26 September 2005

Worth repeating

A friend of mine who works at a university in the States recently responded to my little rant, which involved the question, "If the U.K. system is so well-respected and the U.S. system is looking for ways to improve itself, then why doesn't the latter get ideas from the model of the former?" Here's what she had to say:
I think a lot of U.S. educational institutions ignore the advances made by institutions in other countries out of a self-absorbed, "manifest destiny" sort of Americanism (forgive my use of the term)--the idea, in short, that we are better than everyone else. That we are more wealthy and advanced than everyone else; therefore, we must already be (by default) the leader in everything. Even when we're not.

And we are blind to the fact that we are, ourselves, the ignorant promoting the ignorance of others. I don't mean this to be a blanket statement, of course, or I would implicate myself in the process. But where does real learning take place? When a person is forced to grapple with real ideas and come to a real conclusion--on his or her own. Not to spit out facts on a test. Not to present an overview of what everyone else has thought on a subject--although I do find value in examining other perspectives to help solidify my own.

I can't speak to the value of the tutorial system since I haven't experienced it. But I can speak to the value of a person coming up with new, independent ideas...perhaps even before he or she has published the Ph.D. dissertation. THAT is learning. And the promotion of THAT is education.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

But I can speak to the value of a person coming up with new, independent ideas...perhaps even before he or she has published the Ph.D. dissertation.

What a pathetic state of things, that this sentiment isn't generally taken for granted. Unreal.

-Amanda

Jana Swartwood said...

I know. But try convincing most people in academia that a "new" idea is even worth exploring if you don't have your doctorate. And try getting published unless you co-author with a Ph.D., which basically just gives someone else credit for your work (and often, your original ideas). I understand the concept of "paying your dues," but when it's taken to this extent, it's almost piracy.

Anyway. Stepping down off the soapbox....

Anonymous said...

Jana! Everyone is a'bloggin these days.

-Amanda (Hall)

Jana Swartwood said...

Hi Amanda! It's been FOREVER!!! Yeah, one of these days I'm going to become really cool and start my own blog. In the meantime, I'm having fun with other people's blogs. Email me sometime.... I'd love to hear what's going on with you now.