3 ms·

Prof jobs might be researched-focused, teaching-focused, or a mix of both. Some universities really pushed research, in order to go for grants and donations. I

by mgbmtl 3y ago

Prof jobs might be researched-focused, teaching-focused, or a mix of both. Some universities really pushed research, in order to go for grants and donations. It also helps attract grad students. They usually make less enjoyable undergrad experiences. Then again, having profs that only teach, not research, can become very disconnected after a while. You may as well have a grad student repeat from the book. I know a few tenured profs (and my partner is one). I think most of awesome ones are those not pressured to run after grants constantly, and those that brag about them are red flags.

robwwilliams 3y ago
Agree. One major difference is between: 1. Technical TRAINING to do job X (rote-style) 2. Conceptual LEARNING to think creatively about solving problems and asking and answering novel questions—big or small. Many of us on Hacker News understands the huge difference between this teo modes that has been so elegantly captured in Richard W Hammings “The Art of Doing Science and Engineering: Learning to Learn”. If you want to be TRAINED then sure, go to an institution that does no research. If you want to LEARN then go to an institution that does some research, better yet, a great deal of research. I was an undegrad at UCSC in the 1970s—-no grades and great faculty who loved both teaching and research. I learned to learn and I still live to learn. Now I am expected to TRAIN first year med students human genetics that will allow them to pass their boards. The boards demand insufferably ancient genetics—a cut-off date of 2001 would be fine-wonderful. But there has been a bit of progress in genetics in the last two decades. I tried to teach them a hybrid of the “classics” but with 50% of time devoted to cutting-edge modern genetics. I hate TRAINING to the test. You can imagine my reviews as a professor. Who is at fault?
- HarryHirsch 3y ago
  You can imagine my reviews as a professor. Who is at fault? It's the system that's at fault. Remember the noncanonical version of the Monty Python Dead Bishops skit? The murderer admits the crime to the police (in fact the Church Police), saying "It was me, but the system is at fault." The police proceed to question everyone else: "Excuse me, are you part of the system?" - "Yes." - "Come with me then!"

by mgbmtl 3y ago

robwwilliams 3y ago

Agree. One major difference is between: 1. Technical TRAINING to do job X (rote-style) 2. Conceptual LEARNING to think creatively about solving problems and asking and answering novel questions—big or small. Many of us on Hacker News understands the huge difference between this teo modes that has been so elegantly captured in Richard W Hammings “The Art of Doing Science and Engineering: Learning to Learn”. If you want to be TRAINED then sure, go to an institution that does no research. If you want to LEARN then go to an institution that does some research, better yet, a great deal of research. I was an undegrad at UCSC in the 1970s—-no grades and great faculty who loved both teaching and research. I learned to learn and I still live to learn. Now I am expected to TRAIN first year med students human genetics that will allow them to pass their boards. The boards demand insufferably ancient genetics—a cut-off date of 2001 would be fine-wonderful. But there has been a bit of progress in genetics in the last two decades. I tried to teach them a hybrid of the “classics” but with 50% of time devoted to cutting-edge modern genetics. I hate TRAINING to the test. You can imagine my reviews as a professor. Who is at fault?

HarryHirsch 3y ago
You can imagine my reviews as a professor. Who is at fault? It's the system that's at fault. Remember the noncanonical version of the Monty Python Dead Bishops skit? The murderer admits the crime to the police (in fact the Church Police), saying "It was me, but the system is at fault." The police proceed to question everyone else: "Excuse me, are you part of the system?" - "Yes." - "Come with me then!"