swish
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« on: April 10, 2007, 01:54:42 PM » |
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Re: Mapping the Misunderstood Population of Adult StudentsSince almost all college students are 18 upon arrival or turn 18 during their first year, what's so "adult" about these older students? Did the age of majority go up to 30 or so when I wasn't looking? |
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« Last Edit: April 12, 2007, 02:50:50 PM by moderator »
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mountain_ivy
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« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2007, 03:20:02 PM » |
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I'm not sure you're serious, but think back even 30 years ago. Most students tended to be straight from high school. That's changed. More of our students are older, with jobs and families. They bring different attitudes, knowledge and life experience to our classrooms. It's just part of being a teacher to recognize who our students are.
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I run with scissors.
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jonesey
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« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2007, 09:02:20 AM » |
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And, unfortunately, the majority of colleges and universities are still geared for 18-24 year olds who go full time during the day. This is especially true for Masters and Doctorate programs.
Someday, I hope, the academic world will catch up with the rest of the world and realize that many people go back to school later in life.
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Jonesey, I know you're a being of sensitivity and refinement. |
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umdgrad
Junior member
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« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2007, 01:34:09 PM » |
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And, unfortunately, the majority of colleges and universities are still geared for 18-24 year olds who go full time during the day. This is especially true for Masters and Doctorate programs.
Someday, I hope, the academic world will catch up with the rest of the world and realize that many people go back to school later in life.
I'm not sure that the purpose of academia is to "keep up" with the rest of the world...at least not in the sense I think you mean here. While some degree granting graduate programs may be conducive to part-time study and other adjustments made for older learners (e.g., business administration), others are not. Particularly within graduate programs, students who are not immersed in graduate life have a markedly different experience than those who work and study at the university all day. There is certainly value in the apprenticeship model of education which was succesful prior to the advent of the "common school" and I think universities attempt to mimic that through full-time graduate programs. |
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jonesey
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« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2007, 02:01:49 PM » |
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And, unfortunately, the majority of colleges and universities are still geared for 18-24 year olds who go full time during the day. This is especially true for Masters and Doctorate programs.
Someday, I hope, the academic world will catch up with the rest of the world and realize that many people go back to school later in life.
I'm not sure that the purpose of academia is to "keep up" with the rest of the world...at least not in the sense I think you mean here. While some degree granting graduate programs may be conducive to part-time study and other adjustments made for older learners (e.g., business administration), others are not. Particularly within graduate programs, students who are not immersed in graduate life have a markedly different experience than those who work and study at the university all day. There is certainly value in the apprenticeship model of education which was succesful prior to the advent of the "common school" and I think universities attempt to mimic that through full-time graduate programs. True, but it makes it very difficult for people like me (and many I know and work with) who didn't choose teaching college when they were 18 years old (I don't know anyone doing what they thought they would when they were 18). Those of us who "discovered" teaching college in their 30's are at a distinct disadvantage, in that many MA programs are difficult to do while working full-time, and PhD's seem impossible... |
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Jonesey, I know you're a being of sensitivity and refinement. |
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bio_prof_
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« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2007, 03:16:38 PM » |
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And, unfortunately, the majority of colleges and universities are still geared for 18-24 year olds who go full time during the day. This is especially true for Masters and Doctorate programs.
Someday, I hope, the academic world will catch up with the rest of the world and realize that many people go back to school later in life.
They come and take my CC classes and we have a FANTASTIC time. |
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That's all for now.
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umdgrad
Junior member
Posts: 60
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« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2007, 03:24:13 PM » |
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I agree jonesey. It does make things hard for the overwhelming majority of people who want to change careers or just go back to learn. Unfortunately, I don't have any idea how you achieve a balance between providing a truly dynamic and rigorous program and adjusting to the real needs of older students.
Maybe the change shouldn't be the universities to make? Maybe societal expectations related to work, family and higher ed need to change. Who knows, but when you figure it out be sure to let me know...
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jonesey
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« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2007, 05:24:51 PM » |
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Umdgrad,
I will. : )
Bio,
I think we're teaching the same students...
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Jonesey, I know you're a being of sensitivity and refinement. |
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