The Signalling Model of Education: Accurate or Misleading?

[deluks917]

Quick explanation: http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2011/11/the_magic_of_ed.html

Long speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpk_u_VmPD4

The basic idea is that the main benefit students gain from education is not any actual skill or general cognitive benefit. But instead that success in education signals desirable traits. Important examples are intelligence, perseverance and conscientiousness.

This model explains all sorts of things. Like the famous situation of students rejoicing when professors cancel class. Or students frequent dislike of professors who try the most sincerely to teach them as much as possible.

So two points:

1) To what extent is the signalling model of education accurate

2) Assuming it is accurate how does this affect how we should teach?

 

[Klystron]

Replying to this six year old thread for "Spring Cleaning" but also to redirect the query [Aug 2019]

So two points:
1) To what extent is the signalling model of education accurate

2) Assuming it is accurate how does this affect how we should teach?

While signalling theory remains a profound contribution to Biology, perhaps translating "signal" to "sign" will provide more information relevant to education. Signing and the use of symbols and signs in language particularly for education are the subject matter of semiotics.

From the linked article

Semiotics (also called semiotic studies) is the study of sign process (semiosis). It includes the study of signs and sign processes, indication, designation, likeness, analogy, allegory, metonymy, metaphor, symbolism, signification, and communication.

A recent education thread on PF discussed the accuracy of a hydrodynamic model as analogy for an electromagnetic field (emf) incumbent on understanding and teaching basic electronic theory and practical circuits.

At first blush signal theory would seem to contribute more to electronics education but actually fails to provide measures for the usefulness of hydrodynamic analogies to understanding electronics. Semiotics with its emphasis on dynamic signs provides ready measures of how an analogy or metaphor applies to education and scholarly communication. Take the verb flow and the noun current.

Applied to electronics current flow refers to a real thing. Though originally derived from metonymy the sentence "Close the switch and current flows through the circuit." is completely denotative. The student can measure the current with an ammeter connected to the circuit. The electronics teacher can point to the meter deflection. In an interesting side note electronics defines negative (-) and positive (+) signs that denote current flow, again without cumbersome analogies to fluids.

Further discussion could include useful analogies to help teach emf theory such as comparisons to textile weaving with warp, woof (weft) and wave that can be analyzed using semiotics without contribution from signalling theories.

 

[gleem]

1) To what extent is the signalling model of education accurate

One instant of signalling might be when you graduate from a prestigious program that you are better qualified than one who has not. This I do not agree with. It may be true that more students who graduate from top programs are among the best but it does not mean that those who do not graduate from such programs should be ignored.

Malcomb Gladwell, journalist and author has a podcast about such an issue in Law if you have the time and interest. The particular episode is called "The Tortoise and the Hare".

I think the author of the first cited article in the OP was having a professional midlife crisis. He dismisses much of what is necessary for success in a job when a student is successful in school. He doesn't mention the personal value that one can find in higher education. I may be an anachronism but when I went to college I felt that it provided me with opportunities in learning and knowledge that I would most likely not have learned if I had not gone to college. The real work a day world is so seductive with its inane diversions veritable opiates for the intellect.

Today's mantra is "learning to learn" for one may have a multitude of different jobs during his/her lifetime. Our job opportunities are changing radically as new types of business are invented and new technologies are implemented and we are required to adapt. You don't want to have candlestick maker like job fixation in an era of electricity.

Leave the vocational education to specialized institutions or programs.