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LittleItaly's picture

Is the playing field leveled in the classroom?

Writing my 4th paper on how school doesn't level the playing field. I see that school can be a hinderance or a tool based on one's class status. People from the upper class and middle class have better access to resources such as new text books, tutoring, advanced technology. This factor gives people from the upper and middle classes an upper leg in getting a formal education (college degree). People from lower class tend to be forced to worry about certain obstacles like finaces, etc. before they can even think about excelling in the class room. Moreover schools want to standarize every student's ability and compare each student based on annual income instead of true potential making the chances of a student from the lower class to get into a top college slimmer than a student from the upper class.

Utitofon's picture

Does Education Level the playing field?

 Yes and No. Education does a good job of preparing youths, rich or poor, for adult life, especially the work phase of it. Education instills a ‘can do’ attitude in us, persuading us to step out of our comfort zone and explore the unknown. For example , through our Emily Balch Seminars, most of us have read, discussed and critically analyzed literary works we would ordinarily have assumed were beyond our comprehension.  We have also developed better self expression, confidence and an expanded view on issues. Education also provides us with free social capital – our classmates and professors. If we fuel those relationships, they can come in handy later in life, such as when we need recommendations for internships or employment. The educational curriculum also makes room for constructive criticism. This helps to refine us into better individuals, and if we learn from our mistakes and corrections, they can prevent us from remaining in a constant phase of trial and error.  We can easily transfer our 3 page paper writing skills into writing business proposals. We can move from making presentations  to our classmates to making presentations at Board meetings; from blogging on moodle or serendip to maintaining a web presence for our businesses or companies; from analyzing data to auditing accounts or conducting market surveys.

HSBurke's picture

Just something I learned today..

After my conference with Anne today, I realized that I tend to overgeneralize things in my writing, trying to make them applicable to a whole group of people because I thought this was the only way to be analytical. Who am I to say that my own personal experience doesn't help prove that a theory is valid. Where before I was scared to use the word "I" in my writing, I am now truly using my own personal experience to help support a text (yay, Dewey!). It's also a lot easier for my to write just because I don't have to change my experience to try and fit into something that I think the rest of the class has experienced, too. So sorry guys if I was unintentionally putting thoughts into your head in my writing, it won't happen again! 

Hayley 

Chasing Academic Elitism: I did not "know myself"

By Jan Trembley ’75

An appeal for news from an editor, a medical student, for the class of 1975 in its first Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin Class Notes column: “…two former classmates wrote a fan letter to, of all people, Lawrence Welk* and signed my name. In Mr. Welk’s reply, he wrote, ‘…it really warms my heart to know that young ladies at such a fine finishing school as Bryn Mawr College also enjoy my program. I can just picture in my mind all of you doing your lovely embroidery as you watch our show.’ So put down your embroidery hoops and write us. We’d hate to fill this column with gross anatomy.”   

When I offered to write an essay about my experience of class differences at Bryn Mawr, I thought I was going to report that they didn’t matter. Once my memories started coming back, I realized that while that wasn’t entirely true, I struggled with academic elitism, not socioeconomic status. I’ve always wanted to be smarter than I am; I brought a thirst for knowledge and a feeling of inadequacy with me to Bryn Mawr, where both flourished in a culture that rewarded intellectual superiority.

HSBurke's picture

New York Times Education Reform Conference

Hey guys, I've seen this ad in the newspaper and I think it looks interesting every time, so I'm here to share. NYT is putting together 400 world leaders in education to have a debate/discussion on the importance of technology in education. This is the first year that it has happened and it's a very interesting and informative talk. 

It's a live stream, and it will be going on until about 6:15 tonight, so try and catch a bit. 

Here's the link: http://nytschoolsfortomorrow.com/

Anne Dalke's picture

Imaging Co-Teaching

So: Jody and I participate in a "creativity group." Tonight, when we were asked to collaborate, with a partner, in writing a poem, or drawing a picture, or....

Anne and Jody explaining how we made this image....
Anne Dalke's picture

Chuckling...

So: here's a Serendip story....

rachelr's picture

Is this your home?

So as I was um, taking a break from calculus today I found this interactive video that I think relates to our conversation about home. It works better with a fast browser and internet connection, and they're serious about closing other pages and programs. Its REALLY COOL! Enjoy :)

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