Promoting Intellectual Inquiry and Advancement
Standardized testing is supposed to be fair for every student, examining their knowledge and ability to succeed in school and future careers. The assessments are supposed to provide critical information where the students can even learn while taking the test. Much of the time, these exams are meant to be reflections of a student’s readiness for the next academic challenge.
The doctoral journey is a new, and often, daunting experience for students. Much like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, students find themselves in an unknown environment, with people they don’t know, who may seem odd, and are told to proceed in a direction that they’ve never traveled to a place they’ve never been.
Having a learner-centric approach at its core means thinking of others first. Managers want to see a significant return on their training investments, which is understandable. But first, employers must consider the needs and interests of their employees.
Adult learners face a unique set of challenges when deciding to go back to school. They must overcome a vast array of hurdles in higher education, not just in balancing work and family, but in cost considerations, accessibility, and commitments necessary for returning to school.
While student debt is inevitable for most, there are ways to reduce it, both from the student perspective, and from the perspective of the higher education industry. We must do better to support our college students.
There are plenty of teachers at every level, from K-12 to professors in PhD programs, who integrate interactive strategies to their course structure. This helps to diversify the material and addresses many different learning styles. Studies have shown that breaking up lecture with varying activities can increase student grades and outcomes significantly. But it’s not enough to make sure every student is supported.
Many schools have faced closure and consolidation around the country, and the trend is expected to continue. Consolidation has impacted institutions that have remained open by adding degrees and certificates in tech fields such as artificial intelligence and cyber-security, while dropping low-enrollment programs especially in liberal arts schools. Schools are also looking online to target more students with specific subject matter.
Lecturing has proven effective for thousands of people, but it leaves many students behind by not addressing differences in learning styles. Studies have shown that traditional lecturing increases failure rates by 55% when compared to active learning strategies.
What if I told you that going to an Ivy League school won’t matter in the long run?
After receiving a gracious letter from a previous graduate and CalSouthern’s 41st Commencement Ceremony approaching, I wanted to reflect on the impact and significance of lifelong learning.
