If these walls could talk..... What would they say?

A vision of students today 

Director: Michael Wesch 

Main Idea: An inside look on what students have to say, and what they think is affecting our learning most. 

The video begins with the inside look of a college lecture hall, to create an environment. Out of boredom student write small words of advice on walls and on chairs. The camera moves on to show messages on chairs such as: “If students learn what they do… What are they learning sitting here?” and “of course walls and desks cannot talk… But students can.” A document called A Vision of Students Today was created, and the question “What is it like being a student today?” was asked. 200 collaborators were added to this document, and a total of 367 edits were made to this document. After the document was complete the students surveyed themselves. All this was done to bring us a message. The classes are so big that teachers can’t remember the names of students. Is learning easier when you have a more personal connection with the lecturer? Most people will agree and say it is easier than being lectured by a person that can’t even remember your name. The students show messages that leave questions floating around aimlessly in your mind. Such as:” I complete 49% of the readings assigned to me... Only 26% relevant to my life.” Are all the subjects that are being taught really necessary for all kids? Is the field the student wishes to go in to taken into consideration? Textbooks are being purchased at insanely high prices and not being used. If this is to be expected, why are these textbooks still on the list of items to be bought? It is mentioned that more attention will be given to Facebook and e-mail (in today’s world it would be texting). This can be blamed only on the students. Students will be in major debt after graduation. How do you start you career knowing you have to use your first paychecks to pay your debt? This makes it harder to get ahead in your career. How can learning be made fun again, without using technology?A vision of students today Director: Michael Wesch Main Idea: An inside look on what students have to say, and what they think is affecting our learning most. The video begins with the inside look of a college lecture hall, to create an environment. Out of boredom student write small words of advice on walls and on chairs. The camera moves on to show messages on chairs such as: “If students learn what they do… What are they learning sitting here?” and “of course walls and desks cannot talk… But students can.” A document called A Vision of Students Today was created, and the question “What is it like being a student today?” was asked. 200 collaborators were added to this document, and a total of 367 edits were made to this document. After the document was complete the students surveyed themselves. All this was done to bring us a message. The classes are so big that teachers can’t remember the names of students. Is learning easier when you have a more personal connection with the lecturer? Most people will agree and say it is easier than being lectured by a person that can’t even remember your name. The students show messages that leave questions floating around aimlessly in your mind. Such as:” I complete 49% of the readings assigned to me... Only 26% relevant to my life.” Are all the subjects that are being taught really necessary for all kids? Is the field the student wishes to go in to taken into consideration? Textbooks are being purchased at insanely high prices and not being used. If this is to be expected, why are these textbooks still on the list of items to be bought? It is mentioned that more attention will be given to Facebook and e-mail (in today’s world it would be texting). This can be blamed only on the students. Students will be in major debt after graduation. How do you start you career knowing you have to use your first paychecks to pay your debt? This makes it harder to get ahead in your career. How can learning be made fun again, without using technology?