To tell you the truth, I don't think that American colleges are "dropping all pretense of standards." That's a little strong, don't you think? The problem is one of "generation." I am a 30 years old French professor at a University, and I can tell that I relate to my students much better than other older professors. The new generation in America is an interactive one. If your teacher tells you to read a book without having any interactions with you, or simply comment on the book, it creates a very boring environment that the new generation cannot relate to. I use a lot of different medias to teach my class, and the response is amazing. I don't think that the entire class should have films and TV programs within, but it helps to relate to reality! When I came to American, the thing that really stroke me as a student (back then) was the fact that a lot of materials I was viewing was very esoteric. I mean, I could not relate to the material, and much less try to think where I could apply it in real life!
The problem is one of "generation."
I am a 30 years old French professor at a University, and I can tell that I relate to my students much better than other older professors.
The new generation in America is an interactive one. If your teacher tells you to read a book without having any interactions with you, or simply comment on the book, it creates a very boring environment that the new generation cannot relate to.
I use a lot of different medias to teach my class, and the response is amazing.
I don't think that the entire class should have films and TV programs within, but it helps to relate to reality!
When I came to American, the thing that really stroke me as a student (back then) was the fact that a lot of materials I was viewing was very esoteric. I mean, I could not relate to the material, and much less try to think where I could apply it in real life!