Academic Redshirting by Judy Mollard Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Academic Redshirting by Judy Mollard - Article Example In addition, another key strength of the article is that it has probably identified the key issues that are emerging or have emerged from each trend. In my opinion, one key weakness of the article is its failure to include the most recent studies on the subjects discussed. In redshirting, for example, some of the articles that can be included are those written in 2007, 2008, and 2009. It is possible that there were also studies conducted in 2010 and 2011. Unfortunately, Molland’s article covered only an article done on academic redshirting in 2002. A second key weakness of the article is its use of anecdotal evidence instead of scholarly studies for assertions. Finally, another key weakness of the article is that it did not summarize the overall implications of the key trends on education in the United States. Yet, at the same time, it is possible that it was never really the article’s intention to identify the overall implications of the key trends in US education. The possible applications of the article are numerous. First, on the phenomenon of redshirting, it presents one important challenge that teachers are facing: teaching classes where the age gap among pupils in a class can be as high as 16 months and where some of the children can be bored with the instructions. The trend for student-led conferences to explain their own learning is also another area for possible application. Student-led conferences were presented by the article as a possible method for identifying one’s strengths and weaknesses in the delivery of instructions. Of course, studies may be needed to find out how useful or reliable the student-led conferences are but nevertheless student-led conferences can remain an option for teachers until proven ineffective or unreliable. The trend of bringing middle schools into K-8 schools presents an option for educators to follow. The article pointed out that K-8 schools tend to have more parent involvement and fewer discipline problems