blogs.computerworld.com — One year ago this week, I wrote a column arguing for the requirement of iPods and other gadgets in the nations schools ("Are iPod-banning schools cheating our kids?: Why iPods and other electronic gadgets should be required, not banned"). Now, the University of Missouri is "requiring" journalism students to buy an iPhone or an iPod Touch.
May 11, 2009 View in Crawl 4
Closed AccountMay 12, 2009
Copy and paste the image link to view. The server has anti-leeching enabled or w/e.
mohsenxpMay 12, 2009
I had a law exam last semester. It was an open book one - which meant I could take in all my notes and any book which I thought would be of use. Everyone who I told was amazed that we could all so easily cheat at this stage of my education (penultimate year at University).It was the hardest exam I've taken so far. I've averaged 77% this year but I only got 61% in that exam - even with having all my notes and all the 'answers' right there in front of me.I truly think that open book exams are a more realistic form of examination. It is nonsensical that in 2009 students are required to memorise facts - when the exam should be focused on testing their understanding. We need to advance our examination techniques to reflect the 21st century way of life.Being tested on how much information I can remember is not the same as being tested for how I can apply that information. The information should not be required to be memorised in the first place.
pikeletMay 12, 2009
@lamiaconfitor - when you can claim expenses, people will always abuse them. Where I go to uni, you can go to the campus computer store, ask for 'the quote' and they give you a quote for a laptop that costs $1,000 - conveniently, that's the max amount of money you can claim each year on 'course related costs'. This quote can serve as evidence if the government audits you (clue: it never happens). People take the $1,000 and go on holiday, throw parties - anything but actual schoolwork.I had to do it. It turned out they wouldn't cover my transport costs, and my student allowance hadn't kicked in, which I normally use to pay for it (my family is REALLY poor, so I qualify). This left me in a position where I wouldn't be able to afford going to the first month of classes, as it 'wasn't a legitimate claim' - unless I used the laptop method to claim the $1,000, which I promptly stashed away and have so far only used for books and that month of travel.
topknotMay 12, 2009
"It is nonsensical that in 2009 students are required to memorise facts." I agree...facts and constants in this world are so "baby boomer". Of course it may make you completely unhireable in the future but don't let that get in your way of getting an education.
peestandingupMay 12, 2009
So what? There are all kinds of requirements in college. What's the difference in this & requiring specific text books, or computers that proprietary programs like Word? Or hell, the computers themselves that run proprietary OS's like Windows & OSX??
innocent114May 18, 2009
I don't like that this is simply one more thing that will make those student's cost of college higher.