I am annoyed! - rant

[snazzlefrag]

I know some graduates of conventional 4-year Bricks & Mortar schools who are as thick as two short planks. They don't KNOW much at all. They have a piece of paper that certifies that they attended classes, but their apparent lack of knowledge certifies that they didn't actually learn very much in those classes. Or, at least, they didn't RETAIN very much.

In addition, I know some graduates of conventional 4-year Bricks & Mortar schools who are bloated with knowledge, but have not an ounce of wisdom, discernment, or common sense.

It's not about the mode of learning...it's about the LEARNER.

Someone who is a highly self-motivated and self-disciplined learner will learn, and learn WELL, regardless of the mode of learning.

It is possible that someone who is not self-motivated and self-disciplined could pass either an exam OR a course, and yet not have LEARNED very much at all.

Some young students, inevitably, are going to Bricks & Mortar schools simply because:

- They have nothing better to do.
- They want to delay entering the workforce.
- It is 'expected of them'.
- It's PARTY TIME!
- Their parents are making them do it.
- Their parents are paying their way.
- All their friends are doing it.
- Everyone else in their family did it.

Invariably, older students who are earning their degree via distance-learning, self-study, part-time school, or equivalency exams are doing it DESPITE the fact that:

- They have lots of equally important things going on in there lives.
- They are already in the workforce, and have been for years.
- Nobody 'expects' them to go to college.
- Studying takes up all their free time (on top of work, family, and other commitments).
- Nobody is making them do it.
- Nobody else is paying their way.
- None of their friends are doing it.
- Nobody else in their family has ever done it before.

About 68% of the B&M students in the reference groups, who took the CLEP/DANTES exams right after passing the equivalent B&M courses, could only muster enough knowledge to earn a 'C' grade (or approximately, the minimum passing score).

This, IN SPITE OF having sat in a class three times a week, for the last sixteen weeks. This, IN SPITE OF having to complete reading assignments, term papers, midterms, and finals. This, IN SPITE OF having a professional tutor, an expert in the field, supposedly doing everything they can think of to motivate their students, and ensure that they LEARNED the subject matter.

That speaks volumes!

If someone scores a 65 on a CLEP, they scored higher than about 93% of the B&M reference group students scored on that same exam.

That speaks volumes!

Of course, different people are going to be able to learn information better depending on the METHOD of learning. Some people prefer to learn in certain ways. Some people simply DO BETTER with certain learning methods. But to assume that one method is INHERENTLY more effective than any other, is a flawed assumption.

Can certain people pass a B&M course and not actually learn very much? Yep!
Can certain people pass a CLEP exam and not actually learn very much? Yep!

I say it again, it's not about the mode of learning...it's about the LEARNER!

Someone who is looking to 'breeze through' will be unlikely to retain much knowledge after studying for a CLEP. That same person, lacking the necessary self-motivation and self-discipline, will be unlikely to retain much knowledge after taking a course either. Because it's not about the mode of learning...it's about the LEARNER!

Thanks for listening,
Snazzlefrag