Value of Higher Education - Finch

In a recent Globe and Mail article entitled "Is our students learning?", Margaret Wente (referencing the U.S. book “Academically Adrift”) questioned the value of higher education, asserting that:

• "for many students higher education is a total waste of time"
• "universities are full of ‘drifting dreamers’” and “For these students, university is primarily a social experience, not an academic one"
• "the research included only American universities but there is no reason to suspect the situation is any different in Canada"
• "the notion that “higher education is good for all, and that more education will automatically enhance cognitive competence” is an “elaborate fiction"
• "on many campuses, students and professors have what the authors call a “disengagement compact” – a mutual understanding that “I'll leave you alone if you leave be alone.” The reasons aren't hard to find. Because students are considered customers or clients, client satisfaction is tremendously important. Also, most professors would rather not teach. On average, faculty spend only 11 hours a week on preparing and delivering classroom instruction and advising students.”

I would be interested to hear what Canadian university professors think about this article.  As a professor, how would you respond to a high school or university student (or a parent) who asked you about the conclusions in this article?  What are your thoughts and opinions about the assertions put forth in the piece?

Cheryl F.
Studentawards

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