A provocative new book, Academically Adrift-. Limited Learning on College Campuses makes a strong case that for a large portion

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问题     A provocative new book, Academically Adrift-. Limited Learning on College Campuses makes a strong case that for a large portion of the nation’s seemingly successful undergraduates the years in college barely improve their skills in critical thinking, complex reasoning and writing.
    Intellectual effort and academic rigor, in the minds of many of the nation’s college students, is becoming increasingly less important. According to the authors, Professors Richard Arum of New York University and Josipa Roksa of the University of Virginia:【T1】"Many students come to college not only poorly prepared by prior schooling for highly demanding academic tasks that ideally lie in front of them, but—more troubling still—they enter college with attitudes, norms, values, and behaviors that are often at odds with academic commitment. "
    Students are hitting the books less and partying more. Easier courses and easier majors have become more and more popular. Perhaps more now than ever, the point of the college experience is to have a good time and walk away with a valuable credential after putting in the least effort possible.
    What many of those students are not walking away with is something that has long been recognized as invaluable? Higher order thinking and reasoning skills. They can get their degrees without putting in more of an effort because in far too many instances the colleges and universities are not demanding more of them.
    The book is based on a study led by Professor Arum that followed more than 2, 300 students at a broad range of schools from the fall of 2005 to the spring of 2009. The study showed that in their first two years of college, 45 percent of the students made no significant improvement in skills related to critical thinking, complex reasoning and communication. After the full four years, 36 percent still had not substantially improved those skills.
    The development of such skills is generally thought to be the core function of a college education. 【T2】The students who don’t develop them may leave college with a degree and an expanded circle of friends, but little more. Many of these young men and women are unable to communicate effectively, solve simple intellectual tasks(such as distinguishing facts from opinions), or engage in effective problem-solving.
    "This is a terrible disservice not only to those students but also to the larger society, " said Professor Arum. "I really think it’s important to get the word out about the lack of academic rigor and intellectual engagement that’s occurring at colleges and universities today.
    【T3】While there are certainly plenty of students doing very well and learning a great deal in college, this large increase in the number of students just skating by should be of enormous concern in an era in which a college education plays such a crucial role in the lifetime potential of America’s young people. It can leave the U. S. at a disadvantage in the global marketplace. But, more important, the students are cheating themselves and—being cheated—of the richer, more satisfying lives that should be the real payoff of a four-year college experience.
【T3】

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答案许多学生出类拔萃,在校收获颇丰。在大学教育对美国年轻人的终身潜能产生重大影响的时代,这些数量剧增却一掠而过的学生应备受关注,因为当代大学教育在美国年轻人终身的潜质中发挥重要作用。

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