Write about some changes that could be made to your study programme (carrera).
Think about:
· The curriculum (the subjects you have to study)
· Workload and length of studies
· Faculty facilities (buildings and infrastructure)
· Use of technology
· Teaching methods
Make comments on 3 of your classmates’ posts and your teacher's blog post.
Word Count: 230 words
Have a look at my model answer below.
For my undergraduate degree I studied Psychology in the Humanities and Science department at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, USA. I found the curriculum to be good mainly because it was quite flexible. The first two years were focused on a general foundation with classes like: biology, philosophy, intensive writing, sociology, anthropology, and of course some psychology courses. Whereas the final two years were much more focused on my major with classes like: applied statistics, experimental psychology, practical work, etc. We also had a lot of electives to choose from.
Because of this flexible curriculum I feel like I received a well-rounded education. However, I would have liked more practical work. I took two semesters of practical work at a street centre for homeless people, which later became a part-time job. But I felt there was a lack of connection to my course work. I also received credit for working with a professor on a study, but I also felt like this was not very well structured.
I felt that the workload was adequate. However, I was working part-time during the last two years, so I had to take less classes which extended my programme by a semester. The facilities at the university were excellent for that time. In those days we didn't use much technology, but we had access to a computer lab in the library. As for the teaching methods, with the exception of the lab classes, I think they could have been more project based. I found that most of my courses were lecture based and boring. Nevertheless, I did take a seminar course my first year that was a weekly workshop class that combined some of the content of the foundation courses.
As a conclusion, I believe I received a good education in my undergraduate study programme, however I think there could have been more project based courses and structured practical work that could have bridged the gap between the theoretical and practical studies.
That practical work topic resonates me, I think our degree could have and needs more stuff like that. I mean there´s a volunteer, wich I'm part of, to help with the collections cleaning, its sorting and register, but, as another opportunities to contribute to the anthropology area as students that we're forming ourselves proffesionally at the same time... are kinda hard to access or just are available late, in our 5th year
ReplyDeleteHi teacher! I think most careers fail to give importance to practical courses. Most have a very theoretical curriculum. I feel the same way about the degree I'm taking!
ReplyDeleteWhy did you feel there was a disconnect with your course work?
Hi Katherynee, I felt that the practical work wasn't very structured and lacked opportunities to reflect on what I learned from them. I think my tutors included me in the work, but didn't have the tools or methodology to make it a learning experience. However, the work I did at the street centre made a huge impact on my life, because it was an opportunity to interact and work with people outside my social sphere.
DeleteKnowledge is definitely integrated better in practice than in lecture classes! That is a transversal problem for different study areas. I hope that in the coming years these objections can be considered in the educational system :)
ReplyDeleteI believe that the problem about the practical works it's transversal for the university education, both in Chile and the U.S. Do you think that if, in your work as a teacher, you had the opportunity to change, or do something about that?
ReplyDeleteI will disagree with the rest of the class I guess. I think theorical problems are fundamental to understand the praxis of different areas. I think that you can develop practical problems thruough your career, but usually you don´t have the time to deep dive in to theoretical frameworks. That is what a degree gives you, the posibilities to understand the praxis of what we are doing. what do you think?
ReplyDelete