Hi
Let's try a little logic here, at least with the MAs part of Michael's
posting. Someone with a PhD generally/often has an MA. So they would
appear to have acquired/demonstrated whatever competencies an MA
requires plus something else. Now unless that something else actually
detracts from teaching, it is not clear why PhDs would not be as likely
or more likely to demonstrate "the skills required for classroom
teaching."
Nor is it obvious what skills are "vastly different" for teaching and
for acquiring a degree. The skill of understanding complex material?
The skill of organizing information? The skill(s) of public speaking?
...
And of course Michael's post was just the tip of the ice-berg. Why did
he not go on to ask ... Do MAs make better teachers? Do BAs make better
teachers? Do people with High School diplomas make better teachers? ...
All of which could have been responded to by Louis's post. It always
surprises me when people involved in higher education disparage the very
thing that they are suppose to be valuing ... namely a higher
education.
My comments in no way are meant to challenge people who do not have
PhDs ... having a PhD is neither a guarantee nor a necessary requirement
for effective university teaching. But _on average_, someone with an MA
who is doing a good job teaching university would _probably_ be doing an
even better job with a PhD. I assume that is in part why so many people
struggle and forgo much income in order to acquire PhDs, and why
proportion of faculty with PhDs is considered in evaluating even
undergraduate institutions (e.g., Maclean's survey of universities in
Canada).
Take care
Jim
James M. Clark
Professor of Psychology
204-786-9757
204-774-4134 Fax
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 11-Apr-06 5:51:35 AM >>>
No, because the skills required for classroom teaching are vastly
different from those
needed to acquire and those learned by acquiring a degree.
Make it a good day.
--Louis--
Louis Schmier www.therandomthoughts.com
Department of History :
www.newforums.com/L_Schmier.htm
Valdosta State University
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