need help with tom wayman poem "students" response...new here

Question

Hey all i'm really hoping i haven't posted like 3 or 4 times here but i don't see my post show up so far.
Anyways....

My name is Shane. I'm currently upgrading my english course as to get into U of Calgary in the fall. I was wondering if someone could offer me some help with one of my assignments. It deals with a poem by Tom Wayman called "Students".

the first question was...Identify and explain the four theories of learning presented in the poem "Students".
I've tried to attach my response but it won't work.

The second i am having the most trouble starting on....Consider the benefits and drawbacks of each theory, explain your own theory of learning. Any ideas of a catchy theory guys?

Thankyou
Shane

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

We'd like to see some of your work on this assignment first, Shane-- unless you're trying to help me get enrolled at U of C.

Shanktank · Answer

Heres my response from #1 of my previous post

The first theory proposed is, “The Vaccination Theory of Education”. This theory relates to students who feel that once they have completed a subject, they never have to look at it again. Students who fall into this notion develop a sense of immunity once they have written a test on a particular unit. Unfortunately these students often forget everything that they have learned prior to the present time. This habit could potentially become quite detrimental come their diploma exams, or even in beginning a new course that requires certain prerequisite knowledge.

The second theory presented in this poem is called “The Dipstick Theory”. This is probably the most populated theory amongst the student body. Students with this mentality feel that just getting by is good enough. A mere passing grade is acceptable. This theory is plentiful in unmotivated students, unable to commit to the learning process. Issues quickly arise within this lack of discipline. Studies have shown goal setting to be a great way to plan for one’s future. Setting something concrete to strive for is quite beneficial and essential to a successful student. However, when one sets such minimal goals, the risk of failure increases exponentially. Consider two students taking English 30-1 One of these students sets a goal at the beginning of the course of 80%, the other wishes only to pass with a 50%. The risk that the unmotivated student has is much greater, as they are doing just enough to get by and could easily come up a little short when all is said and done. By contrast the student with a goal of 80% and doing the necessary work to achieve this, can afford to come up a bit short and still do relatively well in the course. Another issue that occurs is come university enrolment time. It quite ironic that when these students, who were satisfied with just getting by, when applying for post secondary they become substantially less satisfied. All of a sudden a realization dawns on them, “why didn’t I work harder”. Many of these students end up retaking courses they didn’t work hard enough the first go around.

The final of the three theories that the writer perceives as being held by students, is “The Easy Listening Theory.” This theory is created for students who believe that they can pay attention and learn while listening to music. To escape a boring reality in front of them, students embellishing this theory will put their headphones on and enjoy a more “pleasant world”. When questioned by their teachers, the “Easy Listening Student” will assure that they are listening to everything that is being taught. As to whether or not these students are telling the truth, only their grades and knowledge will tell.
The last theory, in contrast to the prior three, was developed by the teacher himself. Mr. Wayman offers “The Kung Fu Theory of Education” as an alternative. This theory suggests that learning is a form of self-defence. Learning can actually help defend you from problems and difficulties you may encounter in your life. People studying Kung Fu don’t simply learn one punch or kick, but rather never stop there learning process, always searching for new techniques that may assist them in a real life situation. The speaker believes that learning anything goes hand in hand with this concept. That in fact learning is a vehicle to better equip us to whatever life my throw our way. Mr. Wayman’s theory stresses that it’s not the content or literature itself that is important, but instead how the learning process can help lead to success and one’s life.
The main message that the speaker is trying to send is that of “lifelong learning”. That results and marks shouldn’t be the main focus of a student but rather the learning process itself. The study of literature is merely a “vehicle”-not the destination.

Mister Micawber · Answer

You've basically done a good job elucidating the theories, Shane, and I see that you have included some discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of each theory within the same paragraphs for all but the Easy Listening Theory, which needs more examination there.

My theory of learning is What else is there to do, anyway?, and you can use that if it sounds convincing to you.

Here are a few things that need fixing in your essay:

prior to the present time -- delete this phrase
change populated to popular
delete exponentially
change It quite ironic to It's quite ironic
change post secondary to post-secondary education
change All of a sudden to Suddenly
change harder to harder?
change they didn’t to they did not
change go around to time. Generally, you use too much informal spoken English
students, is: delete the comma
change assure to assure them
change stop there to stop their
change speaker to author
change concept. That to concept, that
change equip us to to equip us for
change it’s to it is
change success and to success in
change learning”. That to learning": that
change shouldn’t to should not
change “vehicle”-not to vehicle, not

Shanktank · Answer

thankyou so very much. changes made to my response. could you elaborate a bit on the "what else is there to do anyway".

Mister Micawber · Answer

Sorry, the title of my theory is all I've got so far. I leave it to you to elaborate-- or choose your own.

Shanktank · Answer

i just don't know what much more i can add to the kungfoo theory of education. What more could be possibly said.

Anonymous · Answer

0I am also taking this course right now and I think that if you're having promblems with these questions, you really shouldn't be in this course.  Drop down to the 30-2 level0-

Anonymous · Answer

Hello Shayne,

Did you ever get any helpful replies to your post about the poem "Students"?

My daughter is presenting taking a grade 12 English course (sounds like the same one you took, the question sounds similar) so I am helping her by googling the poem.

She is struggling with it too. If you got any useful replies, we would love to hear them.

Thanks.

By the way, if you are the same guy that I just asked about this, then sorry, but I wasn't sure if it was you again or another person.

Note: If anyone out there reading this has any additional info (other than Shayne) then PLEASE send it along. Any help is good help.

Anonymous · Answer

i am doing the exact same module in attempts to upgrade my english as well..... like you i haven't found much about it or have had any luck with responses!

need help with tom wayman poem "students" response...new here

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