By RP Staff, on Tue Oct 18, 2011 at 5:30 PM ET How has technology changed college today? This is an extensive topics that includes countless new developments which have found their way into the lives of college students inside and outside of the classroom. See here for an overview of rapid changes seen in the past 20 years. [VatorNews]
The most recent explosion from Apple has been the iPad. Since its release, there has been much speculation on the extensive possibilities tablets could provide not just for college classrooms, but in all areas of education. [Online Colleges]
Could the end of the printed textbook be approaching? Between 1986 and 2005, the average price of textbooks rose 186 percent. As the technological age takes us over, it seems clear a major aim of new businesses would be to eliminate these bulky, expensive books from college life. See here for some projects currently underway. [The Chronicle]
A new study has concluded that access to search engines like Google has actually hindered students’ ability to effectively research, rather than furthered it. The study attempted to understand the dramatic changes in how college students conduct research and to determine the effects on the students. [The Conversation]
Not only are the students utilizing new technologies, but the universities as a whole have begun using the opportunities provided to further their messages as well. In particular, social media has become a focal point for many institutions, including usage of Facebook, Twitter, iTunesU, and YouTube. See here for twenty schools that have put a particularly large emphases on these technological outlets. [Best Colleges Online]
By RP Staff, on Thu Oct 13, 2011 at 12:30 PM ET
College life today is radically different from the experience of past generations. There are certain resources now available to the college-age population that have drastically altered lifestyles both in and outside of the classroom. See here for a list of twenty examples that have potentially changed higher learning for good, including cell phones, red bull, and google. [College Happenings]
One of the clearest signs of change in the college world is the constant increases in tuition costs. See here for a list of the most expensive colleges in the country for 2011-2012, as well as the most expensive school’s (Sarah Lawrence College) justification. [Campus Grotto] [CNBC]
The ways in which college students spend their money is indicative of the priorities of today’s university scene. See here for a study on how spending habits of college students have changed, looking at an emphasis on food, technology, and entertainment. [Bright Hub]
The significant increase in awareness of for-profit colleges demonstrates how it is not only traditional universities that are changing the educational world. In fact, these colleges are experiencing higher growth rates than traditional schools and will potentially have a significant impact in our country. [The Chronicle]
By RP Staff, on Tue Oct 4, 2011 at 4:30 PM ET The presence of fraternities and sororities on college campuses is a distinctive element seen at a variety of schools in America. What is the greek system all about? Why should you join one? [Petersons]
Greek life can vary widely in the type of presence it holds on campus, in which kinds of students join and in what the houses as a whole focus on (community service, parties, academics). There are many ranking lists of which universities have the “best” greek life. Consider one of the more comprehensive options here. [College Prowler]
Greek life has an impressive presence in our country’s history. Some interesting facts include that since the founding of the first fraternity, all but three presidents and two vice presidents have been fraternity men. Also, 85% of Fortune 500 company executives are greek. Read here for other interesting statistics. [UW Greek]
Despite the many positive benefits that Greek organizations can provide, the primary negative attribute associated with them is hazing. Throughout the past few decades, there have been intermittent stories of aggressive hazing techniques that have gone as far as leading to deaths of chapter members. Although it is not certain whether these practices are truly widespread, the instances which the media has picked up on clearly indicate some amount of excessive hazing is occurring. Anti-hazing rules have been instituted across the country, but it is difficult to measure how effective these actually are. Certain schools, such as Cornell, are now taking more extreme stances against hazing in the hopes of eradicating the practice once and for all. Read an article here written by the university’s president. [NYTimes]
While hazing has traditionally been associated with fraternities, a light is now being cast upon sororities. While the types of hazing are distinct from those experienced by fraternity men, they are troublesome nonetheless. Read about some experiences that have been documented in recent years. [ABC News]
By RP Staff, on Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 4:30 PM ET
In recent years, there has been speculation that younger generations are moving away from religion and embracing a more secular lifestyle, particularly during their college years. Is the university system to blame? If no, what is the explanation? [The Atlantic]
What does it mean when a college or university is “religiously affiliated”? Can you attend if you do not practice the same religion or if you do not practice any religion at all? What about separation of church and state? [University Language]
The decision to attend a religious or secular university is a big choice for many high school students. What are some of the benefits of picking, for example, a Christian university? [College Express]
“Birthright” is an international program targeted at young, semi-religious college students that pays for a free trip to Israel for any Jew between 18 and 26. How did such a program come to exist? How is it possible for them to sustain such a program? Why did anyone even create the program? Learn more about it on Birthright’s homepage. [Birthright Israel]
The classroom is a place where students are told they can make their voice heard. But when can a university tell a student their beliefs can no longer be shared? Or what about telling them they need to change their beliefs? Last summer, Augusta State University decided a graduate student had been inappropriately voicing her position on homosexuality both in and outside of the classroom, and threatened to expel her if she did not change her ways. Read here about the case and watch a video of the student’s account. [Fox News] [Video]
By RP Staff, on Wed Sep 21, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
The moment you step onto a college campus, everyone around you is speaking a foreign language, namely college lingo. To begin bridging the gap between the outside world and college, here is an extensive “dictionary” explaining some of these strange new words that all college students are expected to know. [Her Campus]
Although those of us who are in the middle of our college days do not think twice about the details of weekend socializing, the different types of parties are not as clear to most. What do you wear? What does that theme even mean? Is there social etiquette that I may not know about? A brief 411 on college parties. [College Freshman.com]
Who says college students don’t want the dirty details too? These college newspapers do not hesitate in telling the truth in order to keep their student bodies well informed, earning them titles as “The Gutsiest Campus Newspapers of 2011.” [Mother Jones]
Are college students really incapable of operating without technology? The extensive incorporation of Facebook, Twitter, tablets and other technological advances into the classroom has resulted in new methods of reading, studying and contacting teachers. Make sure to check out the image at the bottom for interesting statistics (Who knew 70 percent of students now take notes on their computers? And 38 percent of students claim they cannot go for more than ten minutes without using an electronic!) [Media Bistro]
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