Professor Elam

Friday Feb 4 2011

I believe the overall problem for many of our students is simply that the education system has not equipped them with the learning and study skills they really need. How did that happen?

The legislature pushes public high schools to improve the graduation rate as well as pass some sort of standard test. I suspect the result is that if one does not drop out and one memorizes the spoon fed answers to the exam, one is passed on. This hardly provides for a solid knowledge base. For example, in my senior high school class we wrote a book report every six weeks, bingo, one had to at least read a book review or a few chapters in the book. Now standardized tests do not require book reviews. I routinely encounter college students that have never written a book review, this of course means they have read few if any books. 

Good writing is a by product of having read well written books. The lack of reading means fewer students are exposed to good writing. 

The push to pass standard exams means that far too often students are handed a 'test review' which of course is a thinly disguised answer sheet to the exam. This is I am sure why I get so many requests for 

'exam reviews.' I am still mystified as to why students want to know the number of questions on the exam. 

But, my point here is that, as many community college students discover, upper level college is different. One is expected to read the book and work alone. It is then not surprising that students do not read the book, they did not have to in high school or community college. Well, all that is now changed. 

Many times I have stopped and visited with students who have their books laid out in the student area and appear to be studying. I offer to help, what is their question. Invariably, the student does not have a question. As the saying goes, they do not understand what they do not understand. But without a question I am blank on where to begin. 

Another road block is the reluctance to put misunderstanding on display, this never bothered me, I was the guy asking lots of questions. 

I have allotted a couple of weeks in intermediate II to cover adjusting entries, time value of money, and depreciation. We are well into that time period. My assignment is to cover Intermediate II however. We do not have time to review all of the principles course and Intermediate II. 

So this means that all must re double their efforts. There is no magic bullet. Do not believe that you can attend a review session no matter how clever the reviewer is, and attain instant understanding. 

We interviewed three outstanding accounting students for the SA CPA annual award. All three commented that it took discipline to achieve success. By that they meant read the book, forgo social activities, read the book, work the problems, ask questions. 

All of which is to say, our review is scheduled for Sat morn Feb 5 in room 3 of the annex at 1450 Gillette Blvd. My cell number is 972 835 7555 if you have trouble finding us. Please arrive with questions.

I am sincerely interested in your success. At least two students have commented that a weekend review is a first in their college experience. I am glad to do it, but you must arrive with the ability and motivation to tell me what you do not understand.