THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Bright students are starting university unable to structure an essay because of the “damage” caused by test-driven schooling, Cambridge academics warned today (Monday).
Many undergraduates are struggling to show their natural flair after being ordered to write in a highly-structured way to pass exams, it was claimed.
Robert Tombs, professor of history at St John's College, Cambridge, warned that students were “drilled into writing” in a formulaic manner between the age of 11 and 18, leaving them unable to articulate their ideas on degree courses.
David Abulafia, professor of Mediterranean history at Gonville and Caius College, also told how extremely bright students were “grappling with difficulties” that “would have been inconceivable” in the past, even among their weakest classmates.
The comments – made at a seminar organised by the Politeia think tank – come amid growing concerns over levels of basic skills among school leavers. Read on and comment » | Graeme Paton, Education Editor | Monday, March 05, 2012
