Grading the exams has given me plenty of time to think about how the educational system is here and how people approach education here.
In talking with Tober lately, a few good points have come up. People see education here as a diploma and not a mental state. So this means that there is very little motivation to go above and beyond the required material: passion is rarely bred.
Students learn how to memorize the given information very well, but skip learning how to use. For instance,
"Carbohydrates or lipids, which are not soluble in water?"
No response.
"What are insoluble in water?"
"Lipids", the response.
"So which are not soluble?"
The confusion is not the word "insoluble" - they know what it means and how to demonstrate it. The confusion is what constitutes learning - knowing words, or understanding them.
My next test is going to be open book, and all the questions will require the use of at least two different concepts. Not impossible to do in the alotted time (so that they have to know some of the info), but just enough to test completely and have them think about the topics.
Peace
John
