my science education

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Educator Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Kerry on December 22, 1998 at 20:34:31:

In Reply to: Re: Vivarium column on frog dissection posted by KJ on December 22, 1998 at 13:22:27:

Truthfully, my college education was about 90% a waste of time and money. I went to Iowa State University and graduated with a B.S. in Biology, minored in Animal Ecology with teaching certifications in Chemistry-science,etc. I found it to be a cold, impersonal experience, and most professors were generally disinterested in undergrad education. There was nothing that I couldn't have learned at home with the textbook,except I did pick up the skill to be able to memorize vast quantities of information and forget it 2 weeks later. The 10% I got out of it is a learned empathy for the science-uneducated. I know what it's like to be dished out concepts with an arrogent frenzy and little explanation or concern, so I am very careful not to do it with my students. The sad thing is ANYBODY can learn science and enjoy it, but most university scientists are ruining it for everyone. Ever see a mechanic's manual? It's as friggin' hard as organic chemistry, the difference is that those instructors are interested in creating more good mechanics, not weeding people out of their elitist field.-K

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Truthfully, my college education was about 90% a waste of time and money. I went to Iowa State University and graduated with a B.S. in Biology, minored in Animal Ecology with teaching certifications in Chemistry-science,etc. I found it to be a cold, impersonal experience, and most professors were generally disinterested in undergrad education. There was nothing that I couldn't have learned at home with the textbook,except I did pick up the skill to be able to memorize vast quantities of information and forget it 2 weeks later. The 10% I got out of it is a learned empathy for the science-uneducated. I know what it's like to be dished out concepts with an arrogent frenzy and little explanation or concern, so I am very careful not to do it with my students. The sad thing is ANYBODY can learn science and enjoy it, but most university scientists are ruining it for everyone. Ever see a mechanic's manual? It's as friggin' hard as organic chemistry, the difference is that those instructors are interested in creating more good mechanics, not weeding people out of their elitist field.-K

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Educator Forum ] [ FAQ ]