The post by "ennuiner" is the only post that makes any sense. The real issue (original post not withstanding) is not lectures, but learning. Many posters point out that lectures aren't the best or only way to learn. They are right, but don't rule out lectures as a valid mode for many. Instructors should include other modes as well. Google "millenial teaching styles" for a start, eg. http://www.elearningmag.com/ltimagazine/article/ar ticleDetail.jsp?id=262368
The good news is that funding agencies like NSF are on the bandwagon, and some profs are struggling to change (eg, me.)
This discussion shows how slanted slashdot's contributors are towards nerdy arrogant know-it-alls, missing the point of a college education. I guess most of them SHOULD have "gone to" the U of Phoenix, or just sit at their computer and download an "education". (Isn't this what they call "autism?") Passive listeners in lectures don't learn much in many cases. If you do, you are lucky. If you have a chance to talk with other students and your profs about ideas and specific problems, you'll likely learn a lot more. Back in the day, I had to go to the "computer lab" to use a terminal, and being able to ask somebody a question when I was stuck made a big difference. If the college admins would just get a clue, the profs wouldn't be forced to spend so much effort "lecturing", and could get on with actually teaching people. The real learners are the students involved in research. If all students could be in the position of a research assistant, they'd learn something. Those that aren't up for it should maybe consider a trade, or "business school."
One-size-fits-all (i.e., traditional lecture format) resonated with industrial age and social darwinism. We need narrowcasting of tailored content with interaction for most people. The autistic nerds will find their own way. We are leaving behind a huge population by traveling the well-worn path.
"The Times can hardly be called a part of the great right wing conspiracy" are you kidding? Do recall the buildup to the Iraq war and the how the NYTimes fed us the pres's line in front page stories?
If you are at LinuxWorld this week, check out the Oracle dome. It features a similar technology, but for surround imagery (www.obscuradigital.com). At least 6 projectors, each at 1024x768. But with the amount of overlap you get on a dome screen, it's only a few megapixels.
I met one of the OQO designers, who said the thing is already running Linux. One of their programmers is a Linux fan, and made sure all the devices have linux drivers.
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The post by "ennuiner" is the only post that makes any sense.r ticleDetail.jsp?id=262368
The real issue (original post not withstanding)
is not lectures, but learning. Many posters point out
that lectures aren't the best or only way to learn.
They are right, but don't rule out lectures as a valid mode
for many. Instructors should include other modes as well.
Google "millenial teaching styles" for a start, eg.
http://www.elearningmag.com/ltimagazine/article/a
The good news is that funding agencies like NSF are on the
bandwagon, and some profs are struggling to change (eg, me.)
This discussion shows how slanted slashdot's contributors
are towards nerdy arrogant know-it-alls, missing the point
of a college education. I guess most of them SHOULD have
"gone to" the U of Phoenix,
or just sit at their computer and download an "education".
(Isn't this what they call "autism?")
Passive listeners in lectures don't learn much in many cases.
If you do, you are lucky.
If you have a chance to talk with other students
and your profs about ideas and specific problems,
you'll likely learn a lot more.
Back in the day, I had to go to the "computer lab"
to use a terminal, and being able to ask somebody
a question when I was stuck made a big difference.
If the college admins would just get a clue,
the profs wouldn't be forced to spend so much
effort "lecturing", and could get on with actually
teaching people. The real learners are the students
involved in research. If all students could be
in the position of a research assistant, they'd learn
something. Those that aren't up for it should maybe
consider a trade, or "business school."
One-size-fits-all (i.e., traditional lecture format)
resonated with industrial age and social darwinism.
We need narrowcasting of tailored content with
interaction for most people. The autistic nerds
will find their own way. We are leaving behind
a huge population by traveling the well-worn path.
"The Times can hardly be called a part of the great right wing conspiracy" are you kidding?
Do recall the buildup to the Iraq war and the how the NYTimes fed us the pres's line
in front page stories?
If you are at LinuxWorld this week, check out the
Oracle dome. It features a similar technology,
but for surround imagery (www.obscuradigital.com).
At least 6 projectors, each at 1024x768.
But with the amount of overlap you get on a dome
screen, it's only a few megapixels.
I met one of the OQO designers, who said the thing is already running Linux. One of their programmers is a Linux fan, and made sure all the devices have linux drivers.