In response to my question about what is required for superior teaching at the
undergraduate level, Michael Ofsowitz wrote:
> > How about a superior administration that: a) does not attempt to
> > interfere with good teaching by enforcing various untested
> > pedagogical ideologies; b) does not succumb to a consumerist model of
> > higher education; c) rewards teaching; d) pays well and provides
> > various tools for teachers to use at their own discretion; and e)
> > does not try to use selfless faculty as a model of the ideal teacher.
> > And how about having students who are willing to take the risks of
> > learning and changing, and who have time to devote to those projects?
> >
> > Provide those conditions, and superior teaching can spread.
Louis Schmier responded:
> Mike, it seems to me that an education has to go beyond mere transmission
> of information. It has to include helping students learn how to deal in
> an affirming way with the obstacles they will face in life throughout
> their lives rather than allowing such obstacles to block the path. We
> can't do that unless we model and thereby show them how to overcome such
> obstacles rather than use them as excuses. In this case the adminstrative
> ones as you describe.
It occurred to me that Michael's post can be interpreted as an important step
in his attempts "to deal in an affirming way with the obstacles" he faces with
his administration: (a) He is bringing our attention to the fact that the
social context within which one acts is an important determinant of those
actions. This is a very important point that is sorely under-appreciated by
most people in the extraordinarily individualistic West (especially the US), at
least according to many studies in social psychology and related disciplines.
Thus, it is a prosocial attempt on Michael's part to "raise consciousness"
about this issue. (b) By expressing this point on a listserve of other
teachers, it encourages responses that might help Michael to deal with the
problems at his school.
Jeff
--
Jeffry P. Ricker, Ph.D. Office Phone: (480) 423-6213
9000 E. Chaparral Rd. FAX Number: (480) 423-6298
Psychology Department [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626
"The truth is rare and never simple."
Oscar Wilde
"Science must begin with myths and with the criticism of myths"
Karl Popper
