A Culture of Expectation Among Today’s Students « The Redneck Librarian

A Culture of Expectation Among Today’s Students « The Redneck Librarian: "None so far have placed the blame on technology."

From a discussion, review of other blog posting on rise in plagiarism. The rant from an educator in the UK says that profs are to blame for coddling today's indulgent students who have grown up without learning, without challenge and that profs give them everything they want. This second blogger, Redneck Librarian, comments that none of the reasons and excuses or whatever about rise in plagiarism has pointed to technology as a cause.

Why not?
Is there really only a small subset that sees the darkside of the Net and 'technology' that goes along with all the wonders? That perhaps this 'indulgent'nature or 'culture of expectation' comes from the instant gratification world of the Web. The Web has made access to resourcs and documents easier, faster, cheaper-- yes, we all know that and love it-- but it also means that everything is, easier, faster and cheaper--including 'bad' information and a student's inability to distinguish 'good' from 'bad'. We're all inclined to do what is easy and fast--human nature. (Hey, I'm just spouting some unfortunate eternal truths--don't have to like 'em) And the Net most definitely makes what used to be hard, onerous research, often much easier, faster and cheaper. And with students gowing up with computers and the Net, they may not know any other way. Doesn't absolve them...hell no...just means we all face a bigger responsibility to teach information literacy, credibility of sources, critical thinking, and respect for intellectual property.

Granted, a tough sell for teens and young adults, but one we should be making as educators, parents, librarians, guides, mentors-- well before they hit college, or even high school.