There are various models that are used in education and they vary from institution to institution. Not everyone learns the same way nor do they learn at the same pace. It is very difficult to take a class of 30-60 students and try to come up with a learning model that suits everyone. The best schools let you know up front what you are getting into and set the expectations early. Some have some flexibility to allow for personal learning style, but most of the time you need to find the right institution that offers you the educational experience you want. The idea that an institution has to bend over backwards to accommodate a student is ridiculous. When you have 20,000 to 50,000 students in your school, and 100+ students taking in a class, it is very difficult to have that face-to-face interaction as suggested. Once you get to grad school that model rarely works at all.
Education is a personal interest and should be treated as such. For every student that wants a group learning environment there are just as many that hate working in them, and with many good reasons. I completely understand the desire for self-directed study and individual work. I also understand the point of social interaction and learning to work together. Students should have access to both, but at different institutions with different services.
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