🚀 go-pugleaf

west@mgmt3.ncsl.nist.gov (Jim West) writes:
: In article <1992Oct2.145239.11819@hubcap.clemson.edu> tdtyl@hubcap.clemson.edu (theodore d taylor) writes:
: >Universities are no longer as interested in a faculty member's ability to
: >teach as they are in a faculty member's 'grantsmanship' and ability to
                                            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
: >do research. 
: 
: When were Universities ever interesting in a faculty members ability to teach?
: 
: >In spite of what you often hear, (good researchers are good
: >teachers) I have observed low corrlation between research ability and
: >teaching ability. 
: 
: So have I.  I've _almost_ seen a reverse correlation.  Of course there have
: been the rare exceptions I saw as an undergrad.
: 
: -- 
: ----------------------------------------------------------------------
: Jim West
: National Institute of Standards and Technology
: west@mgmt3.ncsl.nist.gov

I think the problem is more related with the 'grantsmanship'. As a foreign
doctorate candidate with a lot of interest in research and in teaching
(When I return to my country.) I am always impressed with the requirements
for hiring professors in the USA. Goes like:"demonstrated capacity to
obtain independent funding and strong commitment to research"...
IMHO, the commitment to research should be a present in every
_university_ faculty member (That's why they were created in the first
place.), but the willingness to tranfer the knowledge obtained from
this research and from the previous education should be emphasized.
The true commitment to research is not the commitment to bring money
and prestige to your institution and yourself, but to advance human
knowledge. For that you should dedicate also to teach future generations.
I have found that professors dedicated to this kind of research often
make great teachers, as opposed to the ones dedicated to obtain grants.
The funding, fame and prestige shall come if you truly deserve them.

Just another frustrated teacher...
				Fernando Menandro
				menandro@seas.gwu.edu