When did the substandard become the standard for
success at the college level?
The college experience now a days is creating
weakness and it shows in our society. If you choose college for your future
profession, then it should be an experience that challenges you to help create
a standard, backbone and strength to help you become successful down the road.
I know I have already discussed my thoughts on
students being able to take a full curriculum of online classes and won’t bore
you again with that element but this blog is about public speaking and
speeches.
My son had a speech this week in class and he was
reviewing with my wife and I his topic, which was CTE. He developed cue cards
to help assist him. Luke had a crazy week with tests, along with the speech,
which I absolutely love because it helps build toughness and create structure
with time management. I do not wish ill will on him and his weeks but think
it’s great because it’s called life and life is hard. I asked Luke, how he was
keeping everything straight along with memorizing his speech and he proceeded
to tell me that memorizing or barely glancing at his cue cards are not a
requirement but that he and the other students are able to read word for word
from their cards.
In my opinion, this is complete BS and the reason is
this is not real world.
Whether you are giving a presentation at work,
reading in church or for Luke’s case, when he has to explain to a patient or
family what is occurring with their medical condition, the idea of having no
eye contact, having a general knowledge base or flat out creating boredom with
your audience by reading word for word, should not be the standard.
Educators, I am not asking that you be irrational or
even be a prick but I am asking that you help our
students create strength, confidence along with a strong knowledge base for
them to be independent productive members of society.