Because, you know, drugs are always the answer. How often do we (as instructors) actually consider what kind of pressure we are putting on our students. Why do we do it? Many will tell you that it is about keeping the standards high. You know, academic excellence and all that. But is it really?
This article claims that we live in a “culture of excellence”. I disagree – what we actually live in is a culture of competition and success measured largely in dollars.
“We live in this culture of excellence,” said Michael McCutcheon, a counseling psychology phD candidate at New York University, on KQED’s Forum, “and if you are at a competitive high school and you know the culture really only celebrates success or money, then everything is riding on this test.”
What McCutcheon is describing here has very little to do with excellence. That’s part of the problem – success and money do not, I repeat NOT equal excellence.
Teaching Kids How to Learn Without Study Drugs | MindShift | KQED News.
This is what the article suggests:
- The adults in students’ lives play a big role in how much stress they experience.
- A balanced life that includes strong time management skills,
- at least 9.5 hours of sleep per night and
- a moderate number of extracurricular commitments
How come there is no mention of the responsibility that we as instructors have for this? Aren’t WE the one’s who are supposed to be setting the example?
It’s really quite easy to change the culture from one that worships money and winning, to one that rewards actual achievement. Read my posts on gamification to find out how.
I also have a website that provides additional info (and a book coming).
