5: What a million syllabuses can teach us

I had to Google 'syllabuses' to ensure that it was an actual word – it is, apparently syllabi and syllabuses are both acceptable plural forms of syllabus. I have always wondered how syllabuses differ from college to college, or from even from high school to high school. Enrolled in an applied mathematics and sciences field, I can say that I did not read one research paper in my entire undergrad. Many of the textbooks were written by professors, and research conducted was simplified into equations for hand calculations, or into computer programs.

That being said, I feel my undergraduate experience failed me in that I did not receive an education that was expecting. I realize that engineering is a highly specialized field, one where reading and critically analyzing research papers, while learning applicable content material, could not possibly be completed in a 4 year program. However, my understanding is that universities are to create 'well-rounded' individuals, developing higher-order thinking, constantly critiquing, analyzing and bettering society.

A system that highlights the most widely assigned texts and the most referenced journals, would be a great one for someone like me, or anyone who would want to advance their knowledge without having to attend more courses. A system like this can truly open the doors for higher learning to be attained by those who may not be able to.

With regards to high school, it allows teachers to understand where their students are heading and helps students adjust to what to expect in post-secondary school. Yes we have the Ontario curriculum documents to moderate teaching and learning. But from what I can tell, city to city, high school to high school, syllabuses change. Even within high school, teachers use differing texts, and evaluation practices. I recall reading Lord of the Flies in grade 10, while my peers in other classes read To Kill a Mockingbird.

-Ragu

Reference:

Karganis, J. (2016, January 22). What a million syllabuses can teach us. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/opinion/sunday/what-a-million-syllabuses-can-teach-us.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share