ARP: Reaction to Meiland's "New Types of Intellectual Work"

Hiroya Aoki
Professor: James
ARW section: AC
30, April 2007

Reaction to Meiland’s “New Types of Intellectual Work”

Summary
Meiland says the necessity of the new types of intellectual work in college. He explained the reason about the requirement with comparing the differences between the high school work and the college work. First, he mentioned that there are a difference between the high school activities and the college activities. In high school the student’s activity is to understand the material. In college student’s activity is to discuss and examine the basis of current beliefs. Second, he mentioned the distinction between a descriptive statement and a normative statement. A descriptive statement tells how things in fact are. A normative statement tells how things should be. He said that the more advanced work is what ought to be going on in college. Third, he mentioned the difference between treatment of theory in high school and in college. In high school the theory is treated as unchangeable fact. But in college students must examine the evidence in order to support the theory, or seek and examine the alternative theories in order to see which theory is better or should be believed. Therefore, Meiland thought the students in college must be acquire the new types of intellectual work.

Discussion
Meiland said the necessity of the new types of intellectual work in college. There are one of his point I focused on. That is the treatment of theory in college. I think it is important for the students to study more effectively. I have three reasons to explain how important that is. First, in college we may have a question that has no answer. To prove the theory, we must examine the theory if it is correct or not. Second, we must acquire the ability to think critically. When we get some information in high school, we received that easily. But, in college, we must examine that information if it is correct, which　idea or data suppose it, or how credible it is in order to learn deeply. Third, the reason is that we are now one of college students. In high school we need only the answer, but in college we are required the way how we answer the question. Therefore, I think the treatment of theory in college is important for the students. To be a good college student and a good scientist, I’ll try to treat the theory more carefully.

Work Cited
Meiland,Jack W. College Thinking: How To Get the Best Out of College
New York: New American Library, 1981. (The ELP Reader, 2007. 3-24)

My Meaningful Experiences

One of my meaningful experiences that has educated me out of school was the participation in a street fund-raising for Philippine children who can’t receive sufficient education or food. I learnt three particularly important things from that participation. First, I learned that there are many poor children all over the world. I thought we must do something for them, and what we can do. Second, I learned that I can help people even if I am alone. We can do anything alone if we want to. So, I decided not to give up anything even if I am the only person. Third, I learned that the thing never change if we do something. If we learn something, and do nothing, we can get neither good experiences nor good effects. We must do something in order to change something. Therefore, I think this experience is meaningful for me.