Technology In Education Online

Having recently visited several colleges got me wondering how far, if at all, had colleges and universities moved toward a more constructivist approach toward educating students? My son is preparing to graduate from high school in June 2008. We did a tour of several schools and sat in on presentations given by school admissions counselors about the academics at each school.  What was amazing, startling, disappointing, etc.  was some colleges still taking a traditional approach in educating students.  What was especially shocking occurred while attending an information session at a liberal arts school.  When asked what the percentage of classes take a more project/inquiry based approach rather than a traditional testing approach the counselor seemed to stumble a bit with the question. She responded that there maybe a course here and there that takes a more project based approach. However, most of the courses are traditionally based.

As we walked through the library of one of the schools I was glancing at what students were working on.  A number of students seemed to be preparing for exams.  The question in my mind became are we continuing to perpetuate students to become better test takers?  If this is the case, what happens to those students that are to become future teachers?  If their methodology of learning is by memorization and regurgitation then what will be their expectations of their future students?  Will there be opportunity for future teachers to move beyond this mind set if they don’t know any other way?  It is especially disconcerting when I see a liberal arts college take a traditional approach to education.  It seems to be a dichotomy to me seeing a school call themselves a liberal arts college and at the same time taking a teaching to the test approach in educating their students.

Therefore, if this is still the approach a majority of our colleges still take, then is it not surprising that this approach has trickled down to our K to 12 school environment?