The government yoke.

• Author: Young, Kenneth
• Position: Letters - Letter to the editor

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I agree with Richard Vedder when he says that the writing and critical thinking skills of seniors are only slightly more advanced than those of freshmen ("The Government Yoke," April). Why is this? From my 20 years of experience as a university professor--teaching at all levels, from freshmen to graduate students--I think the emphasis on teaching facts and particular skills needed for specific jobs is the problem.

This is why I doubt that computer-based teaching methods will ever replace good teachers who are able and willing to develop critical thinking skills in their students. It does take a lot of time and a lot of interaction. At the University of Arizona, each student was required to take an English proficiency examination before being admitted to upper...