There was a really interesting article I read in the Los Angeles Times by Brian Caplan today. I came across it after it was shared by George Couros (@gcouros) on Twitter. I've linked to the full article at the end of this post. There was one paragraph in particular that I found very interesting, slightly controversial but just about 100% accurate in its' assessment. It reads: The last line in that paragraph is what really grabbed my attention. As I thought about that statement, I couldn't ignore the way it resonated with me. It sadly seems all to true. Thinking back on my college days I think Mr. Caplan's assessment is spot on. I don't remember a lot of people checking attendance, making sure that you had paid the appropriate tuition to attend a class or anything of the sort. In fact, I don't dare say I could have taken 80% or greater of my classes without having paid one nickel to the school. I could have learned nearly everything I learned as a paying college student with the one exception that is identified, I wouldn't have left with a diploma.
Truthfully, the diploma is what I was there for. The diploma was the essential ingredient to getting employed, and that's coming from someone who chose to be an educator; a profession in which we allegedly value the learning above anything and everything. Interestingly enough, after 13 years in that profession I still have never been asked a question on a job interview about what I learned. I've been asked to review my credentials, certifications and diplomas, but nobody has ever asked me about the learning. I think the sad truth is that we don't value the learning. We value the networking, the credentials, the licensure and certifications, but the learning seems to fall by the wayside. As Mr. Caplan writes "most of education's payoff comes from graduation, crossing the academic finish line." I think this is the reason why we hear about so many successful entrepreneurs, President's and many others having been "C" (or worse) students. They didn't conform. They got by but they actually applied what they learned in a way that it resonated with them, not the way someone else wanted it to resonate with them. Personally, I value the learning. I don't feel validated by having a degree nor do I believe that having a degree means I have accomplished a great deal. In fact, I believe I have learned more in my last year or so since I started engaging in Twitter chats, blogging and other on-demand learning activities than I did in six years of undergraduate and graduate school combined. That's what makes me proud of where I am; the way I have challenged and grown my own thinking on this journey. FULL ARTICLE: www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-caplan-education-credentials-20180211-story.html
1 Comment
2/25/2018 07:08:23 am
Such a great response, Jeff. The article really hits education in the gut & there is little anyone can do to deny the claims (as a whole system). It didn't mention the trend away from diplomas & the increase in respect for jobs that don't need a diploma.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorJeff Lahey Archives
January 2020
Categories
All
|