The Cost of Education
A student was caught cheating in the exam yesterday. She had asked an impersonator to attend the exam on her behalf. When the office called for her to attend an urgent meeting, she came dressed like she off to a party. Reason for cheating: her father had asked he to entertain his client and hence she was not able to come for the exam. [We usually recommend an exam postponement for valid reasons]
As for the impersonator, some of the usual giveaway is that they do not follow our dress code. Sometimes other students in the class will say something: that they have never seen this student in their life. In other cases the student will take the trouble to change the photo on their student card (to the photo of the impersonator).
Apparently there is a syndicate for education performance these days.. and most likely it is good business. Students can hire people to do their assignment, final year project and even exams. For assignments or final year projects, the student will only have to ace the presentation (because this is done under direct supervision) & some students do do the presentation well (but may not be able to answer some intimate questions about the project, hence another giveaway).
When we inquire with the impersonator, he/ she will tell us that the agent asked him/ her to come and sit for the exam (but unfortunately forgot to pre-warn them about the dress code). NOTE TO SELF: comply with the dress code of the institution.
First Issue: Education has become so commercial (a sought after commodity?) that certain students are willing to do anything for that piece of paper. [Ironic, considering that educational institutions and its participants should comply with standards of academic honesty]
On another note, yesterday a senior shared about this free university: https://www.uopeople.edu. Essentially about accredited degrees offered by a university for individuals who can't afford (physically or financially) to attend a university. Promising, and this leads me to think about a model/ scheme that enable students to study at their own pace.
CONTEXT: Number 3 is waiting for her call for the second intake in a public university. Competition is stiff and we are considering some backup plans if she does not get any placement. She was born in the year of the dragon & basically universities in Asia Pacific especially will probably enjoy brisk business due to the high number of dragons born in year 2000.
... AND yesterday I had a chat with another academic on the challenges of private education. In private education, at times lecturers/ institutions may be so student oriented that we forget to take the role of the disciplinarian or just simply being the voice of reason. Students in some cases are also willing to do anything (including cheating) to get their academic qualification (cross-refer to the First Issue). The result is a half-baked product from the degree mill.
Second Issue: Research potential about free/ flexible studying options. Within the bigger picture/ larger context of academic credibility, accreditation/ progression and lifelong learning/ self-actualised education.
CONTEXT: A degree at the end of the day is that piece of paper. However most importantly (in my opinion at least) is how a person is moulded to be something better at the end of the learning process (hopefully). Hence flexi teaching and learning (as well a variety of testing options) will enable educators gauge the students' ability more accurately. Such as Q&A at the end of every topic, doing projects (building something for example), interviewing someone on something, debating, community projects and whatever else have yous. I'm sure that can all think of something.
As for the impersonator, some of the usual giveaway is that they do not follow our dress code. Sometimes other students in the class will say something: that they have never seen this student in their life. In other cases the student will take the trouble to change the photo on their student card (to the photo of the impersonator).
Apparently there is a syndicate for education performance these days.. and most likely it is good business. Students can hire people to do their assignment, final year project and even exams. For assignments or final year projects, the student will only have to ace the presentation (because this is done under direct supervision) & some students do do the presentation well (but may not be able to answer some intimate questions about the project, hence another giveaway).
When we inquire with the impersonator, he/ she will tell us that the agent asked him/ her to come and sit for the exam (but unfortunately forgot to pre-warn them about the dress code). NOTE TO SELF: comply with the dress code of the institution.
First Issue: Education has become so commercial (a sought after commodity?) that certain students are willing to do anything for that piece of paper. [Ironic, considering that educational institutions and its participants should comply with standards of academic honesty]
On another note, yesterday a senior shared about this free university: https://www.uopeople.edu. Essentially about accredited degrees offered by a university for individuals who can't afford (physically or financially) to attend a university. Promising, and this leads me to think about a model/ scheme that enable students to study at their own pace.
CONTEXT: Number 3 is waiting for her call for the second intake in a public university. Competition is stiff and we are considering some backup plans if she does not get any placement. She was born in the year of the dragon & basically universities in Asia Pacific especially will probably enjoy brisk business due to the high number of dragons born in year 2000.
... AND yesterday I had a chat with another academic on the challenges of private education. In private education, at times lecturers/ institutions may be so student oriented that we forget to take the role of the disciplinarian or just simply being the voice of reason. Students in some cases are also willing to do anything (including cheating) to get their academic qualification (cross-refer to the First Issue). The result is a half-baked product from the degree mill.
Second Issue: Research potential about free/ flexible studying options. Within the bigger picture/ larger context of academic credibility, accreditation/ progression and lifelong learning/ self-actualised education.
CONTEXT: A degree at the end of the day is that piece of paper. However most importantly (in my opinion at least) is how a person is moulded to be something better at the end of the learning process (hopefully). Hence flexi teaching and learning (as well a variety of testing options) will enable educators gauge the students' ability more accurately. Such as Q&A at the end of every topic, doing projects (building something for example), interviewing someone on something, debating, community projects and whatever else have yous. I'm sure that can all think of something.
posted by elya at 8:17 am
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