The status of "teaching institutions" is first and foremost determined by the status of the faculty--and that certainly is not based on any type of analysis of teaching effectiveness but research output and status of the faculty within their level of research expertise. This has always been the case and always will be the case--possibly because that's easier to quantify but I suspect otherwise. The poor, lowly student is not seen as a crucial factor in 'the scheme of things.' I attended University of Illinois both as a student and then working on a PhD in Educational Psychology. As an undergraduate, the quality of instruction for my first two years was pathetic with huge lecture halls and no sense of connection with instructors. When I returned to U of I as a doctoral student, it was very clear that the status of faculty was not whatsoever determined by their teaching skills but their number of publications. As an undergraduate, I visited my boyfriend at Knox College and it was so clear that he was receiving a far superior education with small classes taught by full professors. And how high on the list of "best colleges/universities" does Knox appear? Just BTW Louis, I think teaching effectiveness has an incredible impact on the future of our students, and then our society and culture. But those of us who highly value teaching simply need to accept that it is a skill that will not be universally appreciated by the media and many in the APA (not APS I feel I need to state). You don't need to be reinforced by external rewards, right? Teaching well has amazing intrinsic rewards so I have no complaint that it's not appreciated by our media or by most of our own institutions.
Joan Joan Warmbold Boggs Professor of Psychology Oakton Community College [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Christopher, do you really think that teaching is treated with equal > status on most > campuses. "Flagship" institutions are also called "research > institutions." I would refer > you to the PBS piece "Declining by Degrees" to see what I'm talking about. > The Boyer > Report has not been acted on in the overwhelming majority of campuses. > > Make it a good day. > > --Louis-- > > > --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english
