Problems with Adult Education: Communication in the Classroom
Sean L. Bowling
Hillery Glasby
ENG.111
7 April, 2011
Talk to Me: Breaking the Ice As a college student still fresh from high school, I recognize how easily we younger individuals can be led to think that we are solitary in our efforts to climb up the educational ladder. Just two years ago, I thought I wanted to be a professional writer. I even took advanced placement courses in English literature, language and composition in my high school junior and senior year; then I became acquainted with personal computers and became engrossed with the technology behind them. Adding to the flaws of the young, I suppose you could also say that we are too ambiguous. Nevertheless, the fact remains that I selfishly never thought of my fellow classmates, who were undoubtedly in similar situations, as people I could confide in academically. Not even once. Now, if nothing else, my high school recollections provide me with some insight into the problems with the current educational system. In particular, one uncomfortable experience from my past comes into remembrance. In another attempt to gain some writing experience and have some fun in the process, I joined my high school writing club with genuine optimism. What I did not know at the time was that I would be the only male student participating; roughly half a dozen girls that I barely knew comprised of this group I so enthusiastically entered. As for the club’s academic discussions, at times speaking with the rest of them was like trying to communicate with an alien culture. For some reason, I possessed an uncanny knack of disagreeing with the ideas of my female cohorts. It seemed that I was quite literally the “odd man out,” and at the time, I felt the conversations over our assigned articles only served to increase feelings of isolation. On the contrary, I now believe I was more a part of the club during the times I argued with those girls than when I obediently agreed with them; I see
Hillery Glasby
ENG.111
7 April, 2011
Talk to Me: Breaking the Ice As a college student still fresh from high school, I recognize how easily we younger individuals can be led to think that we are solitary in our efforts to climb up the educational ladder. Just two years ago, I thought I wanted to be a professional writer. I even took advanced placement courses in English literature, language and composition in my high school junior and senior year; then I became acquainted with personal computers and became engrossed with the technology behind them. Adding to the flaws of the young, I suppose you could also say that we are too ambiguous. Nevertheless, the fact remains that I selfishly never thought of my fellow classmates, who were undoubtedly in similar situations, as people I could confide in academically. Not even once. Now, if nothing else, my high school recollections provide me with some insight into the problems with the current educational system. In particular, one uncomfortable experience from my past comes into remembrance. In another attempt to gain some writing experience and have some fun in the process, I joined my high school writing club with genuine optimism. What I did not know at the time was that I would be the only male student participating; roughly half a dozen girls that I barely knew comprised of this group I so enthusiastically entered. As for the club’s academic discussions, at times speaking with the rest of them was like trying to communicate with an alien culture. For some reason, I possessed an uncanny knack of disagreeing with the ideas of my female cohorts. It seemed that I was quite literally the “odd man out,” and at the time, I felt the conversations over our assigned articles only served to increase feelings of isolation. On the contrary, I now believe I was more a part of the club during the times I argued with those girls than when I obediently agreed with them; I see
Cited: Freire, Paulo. “The 'Banking ' Concept of Education.” Composing Knowledge: Readings for College Writers. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2007. 239-51. Print. Bruffee, Kenneth A. "The Art of Collaborative Learning: Making the Most of Knowledgeable Peers." Composing Knowledge: Readings for College Writers. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2007. 398- 407. Print. Watterson, Bill. There 's Treasure Everywhere: a Calvin and Hobbes Collection. Kansas City: Andrews and McMeel, 1996. 90. Print Rose, Mike. “Entering the Conversation.” Composing Knowledge: Readings for College Writers. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2007. 96-108. Print