Higher Education is Dead and effectively Worthless

I retired early recently, and bored decided to study something I've always had a passion for... filmmaking, across two separate HE Institutions.

Now I already have a couple of Degrees (BA, MA, MSC) from 30y ago plus I've worked 25 years in a field that requires constant updating of my skills and knowledge of my specialism. So I'm no stranger to academia and self directed research and study.

My new studies required me to do some prerequisite (compulsory) modules in Media and Commications, followed by modules in Editing and Animation software, amongst others in Cimetography and Film Studies.

I'm shocked at how badly taught these all (other than the last module) were taught. Everything is now Laptops, PCs, Smart Phones and scripted webpage lessons with procedual videos (some ripped strait from YouTube).

The lectures read strait from the script and do everything possible to avoid debating points with students (no seminars or tutorials anymore). Having an original idea or perspective on a topic and they are nothing but negative... don't dare think of anything your lecturer hasn't been able to think of themselves (or maybe that was just me?).

The courses preparation and marking is disorganised, baldy scheduled and frequently late.

I've been a FE teacher and a software trainer in my career, and when a practioner is rushing through a complex software package (they probably know extremely well) without pause for breath or checking their class for feedback that they are following at the same speed....thats a bad instructor.

I've got stuck on finding menus or the software has crash, and the lecturer is on the next chapter by the time I'm back on point. Glacing around the room I see I'm in the same boat as 80+% of the class. When 60% of you class walk out of an auditorium because their totaly lost and your not bother, there is something seriously wrong.

'Oh well' they say, 'you can work though the exercises in your own time by following the videos'... well then l could do that at home for free watch YouTube at my own pace....so why am I paying them thousands $ for that?

I don't feel that Higher Education as it currently stands, is usless and certainly not value for money. The 'lecturers' are just ticking boxes and pushing as many gullible youths through their doors as they can.

The current crop of students' acquired 'learning' is not going to help them get a job in a related field, let alone a career. Its not just worthless ,its also going to burdens them with decades of debt at the same time.

If i had children of my own i would strongly try dissuade them from going to HEdu, unless on a full scholarship in in a reputably technically program via an apprenticeship or other.

Hell, I'd rather they be a plumber or an electrician rather than wast 3-4 years on this rubbish at an vitality important stage in their lives.

The only purpose i can see for Higher Education these days is to keep lectures in employment as they unsuited to work in the fields they claim to teach.

Submitted July 22, 2024 at 05:07AM by Pretty_Cat4099 https://ift.tt/nUfkup0