Through my Calculus III class as well!!!!
One of my colleagues, who has been teaching here for over 30 years, feels
that the students are not less capable than they used to be, but rather
they have different expectations...they expect to get by or do well
without doing the work!!! I tend to agree with this, as I get far too
many students who, after doing little or no work, ask
1. does attendance count?
2. does going for extra help count?
3. can I do a project or paper for extra credit? *This from students who
are otherwise not passing!!!*
My best guess is that this is how MANY students get by (and perhaps even
get B's and A's) in high school!!! Too many students get out of HS (many
with good grades) who have little or no knowledge of the subject matter
for which they were "certified" as proficient!!!
What can we do??? :-<
Abe Mantell
Nassau Community College (LI, NY)
> All of us have noticed a dramatic decrease in the ability, and/or work ethic
> of our students this term. Not just one particular class. Not just first
> time in college students. But, from developmental arithmetic through Calculus.
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