From: Harold Cline
Date: 4/22/99
Time: 12:45:56 PM
Remote Name: 131.144.42.222
Dr. Kippenberg presents the ideal situation. He is overly optomistic. In my experience at two-year colleges, most students are still slaves to their emotions and passions. Their attention spans are almost non-existent. The ancien regime of K-12 has hardened their minds against any free or original thinking. Critical thinking or logical, persuasive discourse can not penetrate their minds. The mindset of most students is so hardened that logic and reason can not move it. I have found that the only effective way to deal with it is to smash it by challenging the basic belief systems of a student. To challenge their unquestioned preconceived notions and prejudices. Hopefully, out of the ruins and ashes, the student will be able to rebuild his interpretation of reality anew. Quite often we,as college professors, must take on the role of deprogramers. Sometimes the model of the French Revolution should be used rather than the American Revolution.