Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Academically Adrift: Chapter 5 Part 2

Haley Scholars Spring 2013 Reading Groups


By Chandra Alford

In part 2 of chapter five, Arum and Roksa are arguing for institutions of higher education to have more transparency. But, the authors acknowledge the pitfalls of having a system that requires these institutions to be more transparent in their reports on student development and learning. Also, the authors recognized the power that higher institutions have in persuading public opinions and policies.

“Standing in the way of significant reform efforts are, of course, a set of entrenched organizational interests and deeply ingrained institutional practices," they write. "While the lack of undergraduate academic learning has generated increased hand-wringing in various quarters, efforts to address the problem have been feeble and ineffective to date. A primary reason is that undergraduate learning is peripheral to the concerns of the vast majority of those involved with the higher-education system” (143).

Based on Arum and Roksa’s observations and claims, how did you respond to the idea that "undergraduate learning is peripheral"? Why?

10 comments:

Nicholas M. said...

I would disagree with Arum and Roksa's observations and claims. I don't think the lack of undergraduate learning is being overlooked. Many employers notice that many of undergraduate students don't quite have the skills needed to have success in the "real world". That's why there is increasingly more and more opportunities to develop those skills needed to have more success in the job market, on campus. It's up to us (undergraduates) to take advantage of those opportunities.

Maame Antwi said...

I would have to disagree with the agreement made in chapter 5 part 2 of Academically Adrift stating that undergraduate learning is peripheral because it is still needed to get to a higher level of educsation along with to obtain many jobs. However, it is from my observation that as time continues and tuition increases along with the need for student loans the list of jobs you can get from getting a bachelors degree are decreasing. Many employers are now looking for applicants with a masters degree or higher. It appears to me that the undergraduate degree is not being overlooked but instead does not have the same value as it did when my parents were my age.

Katrina S said...

I agree somewhat with Arum and Roksa's claims because the paradigm of the education system has not changed. Even in college, standardized tests are heavily relied on. College focus on the majority and not the minority (as do most educational structures) and want to keep those who are successful in that position.
Also, I think most people do not graduate with marketable skills is because of the way the education system is set up. I have heard students say, "I know the definition but I don't know what it means" or "Tell me what to do and I'll get things done." Neither of these are conducive to success. Yet college and the education system as whole is facilitating this thinking.

Kamrey said...

I do not completely agree with the idea that undergraduate learning is peripheral. I actually believe there is a lot of focus on increasing undergraduate academic learning. We can look at SIUE for example. SIUE provides the SOAR program, opportunities for receiving tutoring in many different areas, opportunities to receive feedback from experts on written papers and speeches, and modules to enhance reading and writing skills. I do not think that enhancing undergraduate academic learning is not of focus or concern; I think the problem is not many undergraduate students take advantage of the opportunities that are provided. Therefore, it appears that the effort to increase undergraduate learning is lost.

Brenda W. said...

Unlike the other posts, I would have to agree with Arum and Roksa's idea that undergraduate learning is peripheral. I do feel that undergraduate learning is being overlooked to a certain extent. The way I interpret their argument is that although there have been attempts at addressing the lack of undergraduate learning, these efforts are not good enough. The proposed solutions are only touching bases on the outside or peripheral issues of the problem. Programs at SIUE such as SOAR aim to enhance and promote undergraduate learning but the students who need these programs the most are the ones that do not take it. The solution needs to reach out to the inner masses, not the outer students who already take advantage of these opportunities. Solving the problem will involve going to the root of the issue and this is what is being overlooked. This is why I agree with Arum and Roksa on the notion that undergraduate learning is peripheral and overlooked.

Jennifer Johnson said...

I agree that undergrad learning is peripheral simply because there are few programs that reach out to students to apply learning to the real world. Tests are studied for and information gained is lost soon after

TaNeal W. said...

Undergraduate learning is being generalized on too many levels. To an extent, it is overlooked. To me, education in America is not on an individualized or specialized basis. Students are clumped together with the same ‘major’ or intent of learning but are not pushed to become specialized in this area. Programs created at SIUe for additional resources/learning/whatever it may be are appreciated but still are not efficient at reaching the extra level of success they may intend to. If I had an opportunity to coordinate curriculum for academic institutions (something we pay so much money for) I would implement hands on opportunities and require far more than just a single internship for graduation. Actually being familiar with jobs in your major and knowing the purpose for what we study so much for is nearly nonexistent. Since my freshman year I have been seeking different hands on experiences to gain more insight on what there is to offer in the Criminal Justice field. This line of work is my passion; and I have yet to be especially influenced (by professors, by this institution, etc.) toward a particular job once I obtain a degree. However, I have studied a seemingly endless amount of hours studying to get a ‘good grade’ on information that I forgot the next week :-/

Sean Pettiford said...

I would somewhat disagree with the claim that undergraduate learning is peripheral. It is something that is definitely needed in the pursuit of a higher degree or even a decent paying career. The problem, in my opinion, is that the undergraduate degree is starting to become the new high school diploma. Not in denotation but in connotation it seems that prospective employers are looking for individuals with MD's or even PhD's. The bachelor's degree is losing its prestige. So in conclusion although it may be overlooked by employers it is still a necessary commodity.

Tia S said...

I understand where Arum's and Roksa's claims are coming from on undergraduate learning being peripheral, but I don't see it as necessarily overlooked. It used to be that you just needed a bachelor's degree and you were set to enter the work force. Now that it is so common, it doesn't set you apart from the rest. More employers are showing preference for people with masters degrees and in some fields it is becoming a requirement. I feel that undergrad is becoming another step in the process; like you're not expected to stop there.

However, I do believe that there are opportunities available to undergrad students to develop more skills for the job market. It's just that sometimes these opportunities are outside of the curriculum for your major. They're not always something required for you to graduate.

Abagail Thompson said...

I do not entirely agree with the claim being made in Chapter 5, Part 2. Yes, I do believe that there sure be more programs to enrich undergraduate learning, as well as more emphasis on education at the undergraduate level (especially at freshman and sophomore level). The problem that I believe is occurring is that there is more emphasis on graduate programs now? Yes, I believe that there is. That is why undergraduate programs may be seen in peripheral. Because a Masters degree is being looked at as the new Bachelors degree, the focus on being directed towards graduate school.
On the other hand, I do believe that there are many programs in place to help students excel and obtain a richer education. A few examples of this is FAME and GAME, the Soar Program, as well as The Stellar Student Award. All of these focus on undergraduates and work specifically to empower and educate them.