last month I started a new unit at college, as part of this unit we have an exam booked for next week. The problem is that both our tutors have quite openly admitted that they don’t know how to teach the unit. All we’ve been given is last year’s exam paper with the hope that we can teach ourselves from that.
is this normal or am I right in thinking that I should expect some tuition before taking an exam? If it’s not normal what should I do about it?
10 comments
An increase in independent learning absolutely, teach yourself with no support no.
Yes and no.
As you get older, it is absolutely about teaching yourself.
If college is ages 16-18 as opposed to being a full university student, then it should not be 100% independent. So it sounds like your tutors are being a bit strange there.
It also depends A LOT on what kind of subject it is.
Imagine if it is a stright humanities subject like hisotry or English Literature, or a more contemporary equivalent. Now, if you already have a set of methods you apply to one of those subjects, you can absolutely be thrown a list of books and online resources and be told to get on with it *so long as you then get proper feedback on what you then did.*
If it’s maths, say, it’s obviously a no-no.
What subject is it?
College is supposed to be more independent than secondary school education, but should still involve (a lot) more teaching than “here’s a past paper”.
In terms of what you should do, it’s unlikely that complaining will have any significant impact in the week before your exam. I’d be reading the supplied course material/recommended reading to try and self-teach, or finding additional/alternative textbooks you can use – such as from your local library.
Still kick up a fuss to your college, though. They should have a published complaints procedure.
Yes you’re meant to do more independent learning than at gcse. But this sounds like you’re getting no support at all. At college the teachers should explain the difficult concepts to you. But then it’s up to you to practice or look up case studies.
Not normal, have a chat with the director of studies and consider whether you want to change subjects / topics within your subject to something that’s actually taught by an expert.
Depends on the level. Undergrad is 90% spoon-feeding, MSc about 50%. PhD, about -10% as you’re discovering what’s already dogma is wrong.
Nah, come together as a class and ask for clarification or for the college to pony up the cash for someone to come in. Of course, college is about independent learning but that shouldn’t be used as an excuse to wash their hands of actually doing anything.
Not to this extent. Self-directed learning would be expected but the bulk of the course should still be taught.
Your job is to do a fuck load of independent work and study on a constant basis, and then report to a lecturer for individual feedback on a continuous basis.
If you put in the work, and get the feedback, then you will learn things. If you expect your lecturer to write your work for you, you’ll be disappointed.
It’s certainly normal to teach yourself at university. University is basically guided self teaching.