[Fsf-friends] Re: Linus Torvalds -just for fun

Roshan d_rosh2001@[EMAIL-PROTECTED]
Tue Oct 3 16:17:28 IST 2006


Kush wrote:
> Also the student in western system of education
> decides what they want 
> to really study whereas we in India are asked to
> cram any and everything 
> to give us so called "more rounded" knowledge
> --ultimately the course is 
> so vast that we just get superficial knowledge of
> everything and hardly 
> learn much.

Not necessarily. I don't know from which university
you are, but I would comment based on Mumbai
University. The course contents is decided by the
Academic Council of Mumbai University. For students,
the aim is not to cram everything and anything, but to
study and understand the concepts and theory. There
are mistakes, but the aim of courses (specially of
Computer Science and Information Technology) aim to
give you a fundamental knowledge about each subject
you learn. The fault lies in the examination pattern
that allows rote learners marks. However, again, it is
expected that the student learns and reproduces
concepts in a systematic way that serves as a criteria
for alloting marks.  

> Most private engg colleges have low
> standards and students 
> just try to pass by hook or crook. Programming
> exercises are copied and 
> there is no system of competitive learning by
> sharing and open 
> discussion. I think we should have our elective
> known to us in 2nd year 
> and study should be according to that elective.

It is on the student's side, to ensure, that he/she is
honest in his/her work. It is the responsibility of
the teacher to spend some additional time discussing
topics of relevance. Some foundation has to be built
up before building something. Electives, afaik, are
allowed when that is done. 

> There is another difference when I compare with
> Indian 
> colleges/universities --methods of teaching. Linus
> had information about 
> textbooks/recommended reading books much much before
> his course started 
> and therefore was able to prepare in advance whereas
> in our college days 
> we used to wait for the teacher to tell us which
> books to buy after the 
> term started or was half way thru. We used to save
> on books by borrowing 
> from the library (generally badly stocked) or get
> earlier editions /hand 
> me downs.

Atleast for graduate and post-graduate studies in
Mumbai University, the syllabus is available (unless
out of stock) before the course begins. (assuming a
regular course, not one that is introduced). 
Perhaps, the seniors, themseleves should maintain a
copy of the same. 

The syllabus is exhaustive enough to provide details
on the author's of the books,the reference books and
the topics covered for a particular subject. Along
with this, the practicals, the tutorials / assignments
and the lecture schedule is all provided. (Again,
atleast for Computer Science and Information
Technology)

For engineering colleges, there are enough
restrictions by the AICTE, and even so, there is a
document called "Mandatory Disclosure" that discloses
a lot of details necessary to know about the college
in terms of academics and resources.

> Kush,
Please don't get me wrong. I do not intend to refute
anything. The point is I feel, there is a
communication gap that might have resulted into
thoughts expressed by you.


		
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