January 2016

Striking Truth about Today’s Education

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It’s so striking, that the current system all together in education needs some improvisation on it. In Micheal Wesch’s “Anti-Teaching: Confronting the Crisis of Significance”, he discusses prominent issues in today’s educational system. His article can be found here. There’s a part in today’s education that tends to be overlooked. It is certainly getting students interested in their own education. Awakening their curiosity, making them feel the insatiable desire to learn. This is actually such a truth, and is something that’s often overlooked.

Today’s world, a majority of the people in college want a degree… To get a job… Or to not get disowned by their family… Or to make money. These are the most common motives for a college degree. However, oftentimes students go in and out of college without developing a passion for anything… Or without finding something in their field that truly interests them and inspires them. The description of huge lecture halls, with the professor being in the front is so common to undergraduate studies. Especially on important classes, that are often the basics to any field. Because these classes are taken by many, a lot of times there are a few hundred students in the class. The professor is truly, as Wesch stated, usually standing in the front of the class using a mic. This could be the calculus class that contains a mix of majors. Or the English class the political scientist cares for, and the engineer doesn’t care for. However you look at it, how do students get their passion when beginning college? If students are piled in a huge lecture hall, focused on getting a high GPA… And that’s all…. Often times, students want to figure out What’s on the test, or how to study.

An even harsher reality, is that many times the introductory classes to any major are weed-out classes to the major. They make people’s lives very difficult. I remember, as an Electrical Engineering major, how Digital Signal Processing was the first class we took in EE. That class was hell. We pulled all nighters trying to figure out how to do the labs. The class had a ridiculous load, and the professors and our section TAs weren’t really engaged in teaching the class. The horror stories about the class were ridiculous. I had some friends who were Biomedical Engineering Majors who changed majors, because they just couldn’t pass DSP. These people were really passionate about BME, but just couldn’t hack it. To this day, I feel like I could’ve really loved the class. While I was studying for the final, after all the labs were out of the way,  I realized how useful the material was… But all I was doing at that point was cramming for the final… Because I wanted DSP to be in my past. And it is certainly is in my past. I’ve never done ANY DSP since that day… Even though all my friends who took it at the senior level of college (at other institutions) rather than the sophmore level, said it’s an amazing class… But I always sway away from DSP.. I run a 100 miles away if I can, metaphorically, of course.

At the same time, I believe that we gain passion for what we do in part because of passionate professors in our field who teach us. In addition, it’s a more friendly and less authoritarian environment.  Someone needs to show you the beauty of what you’re learning, so you go out and seek further knowledge.  There needs to be a way to convince incoming students about the beauty of learning… The beauty of research..

When people get specialized, they are often taken by the idea that no matter how much they learn, they don’t know a lot of things. This is a true story. However, people won’t appreciate that, if they don’t appreciate their learning experience. If they only care to make money. If there are further motives, then people will be more engaged to learn, and be hungry to learn more. Those are my 10 cents, on learning today…

Week 2: The Role of the University in the 21st Century

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Universities in the 21st century are in charge for a lot of the movement and advancement of society. Given the fact that universities are subjected to all the change that society is subjected to, they also catalyze changes that influence the nation and the world. As stated in Atikson et. al’s “Research Universities: Core of the US Science and Technology Program”, World War II is what began bringing light on the importance of universities. That they help innovate technology. From then on, universities have significantly sparkled on their own, and have been a shining light.

Examining the history of Virginia Tech has been inspiring, to see how much positive change VT has  gone through. In less than 200 years, Virginia Tech has come long ways. In my opinion, I think this helped society to get accustomed for example to women being in schools, for example. At the time, it took effort and energy, but I’m certain it influenced how society is today. So I truly believe that the university plays pivotal roles in society, research, literacy, and education. Universities are also a guiding light for students. Virginia Tech today, is a leader in technology, and innovation. The innovation is a guide both socially and academically to the world.

In the 2013 Time Summit, the esteemed panel shed light on the importance of higher education catering to the needs of students. Realizing that students aren’t always the traditional 18-22 years old age group. Realizing, that due to the fact a smaller percentage of people get higher education degrees, that universities should have a role in increasing the amounts of degrees/certifications necessary. In addition, the professors also shed light on the importance of also mentoring undergraduate students, and choosing them carefully in the best field that suites them. This is necessary to fill the student body with enthusiasm and excitement. I was also inspired by the idea, that universities should consider having high rise buildings. This is because, as land gets expensive, it is a decent idea to optimize the amount of square footage and leverage it in the best way possible. At the same time, it is necessary not to overlook the importance of having strong faculty, who are readily interested in the best of their students, and the best of their research. I believe the 21st century is already successful in having great professors. At the same time, it is also necessary to strengthen research and research opportunities, for the sake of leading technology. This includes, helping universities access greater resources.

The purposes of the universities align greatly with my views and goals as an individual. Being that I’d like to support the innovation in research and technology, and being that I’d like to be the change I wish to see. Being in a university environment is really rejuvenating, and helps one become a better research. It helps one be in touch with the arising issues nationally, to effect and influence society in the best ways possible. Gaining a higher education degree in an environment like this allows one to have great knowledge and a skill set to support greater innovation. It allows one to be both a good candidate for industry or academia. At the same time, one is constantly in touch with the world, and what is to come.

I’d like to close on one final note. It’s amazing how in the Time Summit, it was mentioned that there weren’t competitors threatening our lead in academics, presently in the US. However, the more we innovate, and the more we are becoming better and better at what we do… The more we accelerate. And the more it’s difficult for anyone to have a lead on our educational statuses.

Week 1: Intro and Principles @ VT

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Howdy! My name is Sarah, and I’m currently pursuing my master’s in Electrical Engineering. My research is in MEMS, which stands for Microelectromechanical Systems. I am interested in interdisciplinary research, and I enjoy research that brings upon others useful outcomes. Things that make other people’s lives better, in a nutshell.

I examined the principles of the Virginia Tech community. These principles are the core of Virginia Tech, the values the community have become a part of, and have worked to abide by them. They are important values, that the community has chosen to pursue, and are stronger than beliefs. One may believe in something, but may not pursue it. However, a value or a principle is something someone abides by, by choice, habit, and belief. At the same time, laws are found at a higher level. They are furthermore enforced than principles. In other words, there is someone out there policing them.

Anyways, back to the 5 major principles of the VT community. One of them speaks to the uniqueness and value of every individual, and how it is necessary that each person find the empowering environment necessary. The second encourages freedom of speech, in an environment leveraging respect and empathy to others. The third principle speaks to  the importance of diversity. The fourth one rejects preset biases and prejudice against others regardless the cause. Last but not least, is a promise to the motto of VT,Ut Prosim , in abidance to these principles. These principles are important, and they all speak to the importance and value of individuals.

In the introduction to the principles, one sentence states “a legacy that reflected bias and exclusion”. In my view, the principle is referring to the past life of Virginia Tech. The first point to mention, is that VT is a Land grant university. This influenced some of the biases.  It was only in the past 100 years or so that women, for example became a part of academia. There was a lot in American history that this sentence reflects. However, today the world has changed significantly. This doesn’t appear to any longer be the case. There maybe some remains, which VT is overcoming. However, for the most part things are better. Credits: Quote and Info

This statement is important, because it reflects the importance of the values and principles of VT. In fact, part of that is the integrity of Virginia Tech, and the importance of it. I find it interesting that the principles list has to begin with speaking about something, that should be so obvious, yet overlooked by some at times. That is, how every individual should be respected and treated in a humane manner. It’s a good principle, but however, you’d hope that people already lived by that.

 

Dreaming, Connectivity, and Learning

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Connected Learning in a Connected Age, oh how convenient?!

We live in an age, where connectivity is integrated within everything. You can count the number of steps you take everyday using a gadget that reports to your phone. In fact, you can even count steps with your own phone. Connectivity in general is being in touch with the world at the tips of your fingers, very conveniently. This could be emailing your friends, or this could be googling a certain concept that lacks clarity.

On the other hand, learning is something we are accustomed to do, since the day we’re born. We learn some things, because it’s cool. And we go to school, either because it’s fun, or because we’re forced to. However, in order to have a career in something, we either have to have enough motivation to learn it, or be tortured to do it. Sometimes the motivation comes from liking a particular subject area and enjoying it. Sometimes it comes from a good teacher, who had great passion for a certain subject area, and was able to transmit it to his students. Sometimes, it’s a teacher and her passion for the success and well-being of her students. Other times, people are motivated to learn something to make money.

Connected-learning is allowing students to have access to whatever they would desire to learn, through proper resources and through the support necessary. This includes schools that have further resources for both their talented students and those with disabilities. At the same time, it is necessary to allow students to experiment with different learning methods, and have hands-on labs that they need to help them excel in their fields of study.

One important thing to keep in mind, in a connected learning perspective, is that people learn in different ways. Many times, people use different senses to learn. Some people learn things the most when they use their vision, or when they see something. At the same time, there are others who learn better by hearing someone explain something. There are others who learn well, by physically putting something together or trying it using their hands. Because of this, in a connected learning atmosphere, it is necessary to help students learn in the most efficient manner for them. This will help them enjoy the experience, and learn better.

In a connected learning atmosphere, students would have the ability to both participate in a classroom and in a virtual classroom, for the necessary pedagogy needed. Students can leverage the best within them, and learn in the most efficient manner with the best resources available. Students can feel in control of their education. Students can work hard, and excel.  Finances shouldn’t be a cap to a students resources. There should be other ways to get where one wishes, through scholarships,  and  good grades.

Connected learning is having aspirations, and pursuing them. When one follows their dreams and aspirations despite all road-blocks available, they are truly in a connected learning atmosphere.