[MATHEDCC] Re: Just a question

Dalton, Patricia (pdalton@mc.cc.md.us)
Tue, 17 Nov 1998 08:21:02 -0500

This phenomenon is on the East Coast too, and I perceive it's been on the
increase for several years. It seems more common among my 18-19-year old
students than among the older ones.
We struggle with the students' lack of work ethic, disinterest in
intellectual pursuits, their flight from anything that requires more than
minimal effort... I could go on an on.

In their defense, my students deal with a great load of personal, family,
and work demands that all make their math course a low priority in their
lives. One of the things that disturbs me most is the perception I have
that many students think math, and a college education, have not much
bearing on their lives - it's an empty exercise they go through because
someone else says they must, not because they are convinced it has real
value. If this is their attitude, I think faculty must accept some of the
responsibility, though not all.

Pat Dalton
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD
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