Parsons describes his stereotypical freshmen student, saying he has been told they are
"apathetic, incurious, unresponsive, and inattentive."
Keith M. Parsons’ blog-post, “Message to My Freshmen Students”, summarizes the process by which he will greet his first year students, and his expectations for them as a new college student. He highlights his post by addressing differences between professors and teachers. Teachers assume responsibility for your actions, grades, etc., he says, professors do not. Professors, he claims, are here to guide you to knowledge, but will not force you to learn the knowledge, or retain it. They champion the mindset that they do not care if you make an A or an F, “I get paid the same either way.” In high school, teachers assumed all or most of the responsibility for a child’s abilities or lack thereof, in college however, you do. High school curriculum would serve students better if it focused on developing listening skills, Parsons adds, rather than test-taking drills. Classes are merely credits, and nothing more; chances to earn their diploma, but professors see it as a way to expand your knowledge. Citations and bibliographies are unimportant to the freshmen student, whereas professors see these simple tasks as a subtle difference that speaks volumes on the carelessness of today’s youth. Students need to focus on more skills, such as critical thinking and critical listening. Parsons describes his stereotypical freshmen student, saying he has been told they are "apathetic, incurious, unresponsive, and inattentive." Claiming that he does not agree with this portrait of a student, he paints a kindred picture, however, when depicting his own students. Parsons’ severed viewpoint remains, that his job is not to enlighten students, but rather to lead them to knowledge, and allow them to take it as they may. This viewpoint carries him into the mindset that students are solely focused on credits, and subsequently, on diplomas. I refute that students see classes/college in this way, instead, I advocate for students that go through college and work so vigorously every day to be successful. These same “freshmen students” Parsons describes are the same ones that I admire, pursuing their goals every day and seeing every class and every assignment as a new challenge, a new skill they can learn or obstacle they can overcome. I repudiate this mindset that we are just drones moving along on the assembly line that is college. I endorse that we are all unique people, with rare mindsets and a new light to shine on every topic, and each with the potential to provide powerful insight and rebuttal at every turn, with little to no focus on just receiving a credit. My interpretation of college thus far has been that while everyone may not be good at a certain type of learning, everyone gives it their best shot and adapts to their given situation. He sarcastically scolds newer professors, and that they are too hasty to cater to their need for constant stimulation. I disavow this pessimistic view; this catering serves as a way for newer professors to reach more students, and engage them in new ways every day. His argument against high school curriculum encourages the notion that Parsons needlessly goes against the grain, stating that it is flawed and focuses on the wrong ideals. High school standards are designed for success even beyond high school, not solely on mediocre test-taking. I corroborate that he bases his lectures and academic cultures on an “outdated set of norms and values”, which attends to his lack of success in this new era of teaching/learning. The same way we are expected to adapt and overcome obstacles, should professors not adhere to these same values, more or less reinventing themselves and their academic culture, as society continues to grow and change?
5 Comments
Jason, what a great post! I was hanging on every word written. Out of all the points you made, I most agree with the fact that freshman students are not just here for the credentials. What would be the point to pay loads and loads of money just for a piece of paper? Freshman students are seeking the advanced knowledge there is available to them. On the contrary to Parsons ideology of the stereotypical freshman, first year students are actually here to learn.
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9/1/2015 11:32:56 am
Let me start off by saying that I really admire your vocabulary in this post. Also, I completely agree with this post, especially your last sentence. We live in an ever changing society, where our conditions change literally every day. So for students to live in an ever changing world, where information is presented in different ways, we can not be expected to learn from one particular style and/or an old, outdated style.
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9/1/2015 11:38:13 am
The way your blog post was formatted is definitely my ultimate goal! I loved how you stuck with your main focus, and supported that focus with comparisons and your own testimony of college life so far. I was also intrigued by the way you ended the post with a question. Great post!
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9/1/2015 12:38:00 pm
Jason, you have a very passionate view on Parson's arguments and I admire your interest in your points! I agree that there are students out there that are willing to put forth extra time and effort to excel and gain knowledge and work hard. I know people who worked extremely hard to get into college and to learn so they could enrich their minds and become successful in the long-term.
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9/2/2015 01:31:16 am
I really enjoyed your use of elaborate verbs and other vocabulary. You make a great point about how high school is supposed to be training their students for the next level of education. However, some students are not as enthused with the idea of taking class outside of the classroom. Overall, good read!
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