Letter: Studied answer

Sir: As a mature student studying for a first-time degree, I would like to join in the debate started by Eric Macfarlane's article 'Don't just lecture me, teach me something' (25 February). Martin Conway (letter, 2 March) and George McDonald (letter, 3 March), both of whom are lecturers, fail to address the real problem behind the apparent lack of motivation for private study.

I am attending one of the 'new' universities, formerly a polytechnic, and have been horrified at the lack of resources for independent study available. There are more than 200 students on my law course. If there are four copies of a recommended book in the library, then we are fortunate. I would love to keep up with journal articles but with only one copy taken of each for an entire university course, it is impossible.

Of course a lecture is the starting point for further debate, study and research, but student enthusiasm soon wanes if the resource material is just not available. No wonder Martin Conway finds the type of study he advocates is just not taking place. I suggest he actually talks to some of his students and finds out why.

Yours faithfully,

SARAH CAIRNCROSS

Harpenden,

Hertfordshire

3 March