InsideHigherEd had an interesting article about orientation into Florida International University and Lehigh University. It is of particular interest to me because my son almost went to one of them and I was almost hired by one.
FIU models their orientation after a reality show to get students to solve campus problems - number of rooms in a dorm building - with a scavenger hunt.
Lehigh University recruited Diane Albright of HGTV to come to campus to show student's how to arrange their dorm rooms.
Lafayette College asked all new students to watch the movie "CRASH" before orientation to prepare them to talk about race and social issues with faculty and classmates.
Hmmm...I thought the purpose of orientation was to get students used to new environments...college and university life being a new environment.
College should NOT be more of the same.
We did scavenger hunts years and years ago when I went to school. And I use movies as teaching tools. Never had a designer for my dorm room, though.
Still, I am reminded of some churches who try to win people on the devil's terms.
Are colleges and universities really trying to give student's a new experience, to prepare them for a new life or just give them more of the same?
What do you think?
out of all your blog sites this one is my favorite one, even though i post as much, i still like to read it anyways i think some schools do care and want or prepare you for new life after college, i think its harder for the bigger schools, also now colleges are willing to do almost anything for students to enroll to their school.
Posted by: susanna moran | August 31, 2006 10:09 AM | Permalink to Comment