I entered the university in the Soviet Union and graduated in the Russian Federation. My studies coincided with one of the most painful periods in the history of my country.
Conditional sentences were our favourite grammar structure: “If only we had a copier…”. Or: “If only we had enough copies of books…”. Each cassette, book or film brought from abroad was a treasured possession, and we made the most of every page, leaflet, postcard we could get.
Life has changed so much since then, and access to information in foreign languages is no longer a problem. Why are conditional sentences still my favourite structure? “If only my students read the material they downloaded from the Internet…”.
Students nowadays don’t have to worry about going to the library and queuing for a single copy of a book. Portable applications, educational software, lots of books… They have stopped struggling for resources and, speaking in terms of economics, are in stagnation. They think that having a copy of the page is equal to having learnt the page.
It doesn’t mean, however, that they are BAD and we were (and still are) GOOD. We are simply different in our learning habits. One of the ways out of the situation, as I see it, is to stimulate critical thinking. That’s what I have been trying to do lately. Discussions, problem-solving, researching cultural background behind the text. And it helps to get rid of conditionals as a lifestyle!
- Evgeniya_Zimina's blog
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Comments
Stimulating critical thinking is essential,and I feel mine is being stimulated ... by my students.It was me who had been in stagnation before getting down to work with senior university students.It's always a challenge for my mind,creativity,stamina.But I like this challenge enormously!
I wouldn't blame them for having access to any material in any form convenient for their use.They've taught me to get accustomed to it and to using it as well.But I still remember my frustration when I noticed laptops,iPods and other devices being used by them at classes.it was so uncustomary.but now I see only advantage of new technology introduced in the educational process and I thank my students I've overcome my stagnation.
I had the same situation as you are describing with my group a couple of years ago. That group used to be so smart and creative that I really learned a lot from them. But the demographic decrease has resulted in lowering the quality of background knowledge of the students, and this year my colleagues and I are struggling... I wonder whether the situation is the same in other countries.
Besides, the presence of laptops in the classroom actually does not mean that the students are using them properly or adequately. Sometimes it is easier to take a handwritten note.
Technology in the classroom is a very interesting topic, thanks for raising the issue!