On Sat, 24 Sep 2005, Carrigan, Jacqueline A wrote:
> I think we need to keep in mind the character of the education that most
> students are getting prior to college. Students have been socialized to
> be goal oriented and externally motivated at school, and not to be
> driven by a thirst for knowledge, nor have they been taught to analyze
> issues critically.
You are right - high school education, with exceptions, of course, is not
very good and does not prepare students properly. I remember, last
century :) , when I came from Argentina thinking I could support myself by
teaching in high school while going to graduate school. I did not know
that would be impossible and took education courses in Long Beach State
and did some practice teaching in Orange County and two other places I
can't remember. I was severely criticized for treating the students as
college students, and was asked to teach in a easier and playful way. I
couldn't believe it - I thought I was teaching in the same way I had been
taught in high school in Argentina. Anyway, my career as high school
teacher ended before it started; I quit college and worked in an insurance
company until I was accepted at UCLA.
Martha
