What would you improve about college professors?

Question

I'm doing a project for my speech class and I could use from feed-back. Some teachers only call on the student who doesn't know the answer. Other teachers are habitually late for class. What's your complaint about college teachers? Any meaningful praises about them are welcome too!

Answer 1

College professors have tough jobs. Consider the number of years and dedication required to get a Ph.D - the committment and sacrifice invested in extremely specific and competitive fields with few job opportunities which society doesn't necessarily value.

Salaries, for example, are not comparable with the corporate world. Just compare comparable salaries between a 3rd year tenure-track professor and anyone in a basic business field with a bachelor's degree and a few years of experience - there is a significant difference.

In addition, consider that there is an entire generation of entitled college students that take little responsibility for their own development and progress and regularly blame others, including their college professors, when they fail. For example, in your question, you reference the student that doesn't know they answer. Did you consider that the student that doesn't know the answer probably hasn't done his homework, hasn't invested in his or her responsibility to actually learn. Have you also considered that college should be more competitive. Everyone should have the opportunity to strive for a degree, but not everyone should get one. If that were the case, our education would mean nothing.

Imagine if your surgeon was given a medical degree because we dumbed down the requirements so that people wouldn't feel bad.

The cirriculum of any professor's class isn't just made up out of thin air. They have advisors, committees and department heads that review course materials and provide direction about the philosophy which drives the structure of the class.

Ok, so here's what I would improve...

1. I'd pay them better
2. I'd encourage them to have more competitive classes.
3. I'd encourage them to incorporate professional standards in their classes such as: professional email requirements, following instructions, etc...

And finally, most college professors do it because they love their fields and have a deep committment to service - helping others.

Answer 2

First , I would look at improving how college professors are compensated. Most colleges want their professors to research publish, they make it mandatory to obtain tenure or promotions. Teaching is secondary. This flies in the face of logic. The purpose of college is to teach, professors who are good and great teachers should be rewarded equally to those who ignore their students, disrespect the students, or have poor class management skills but are successful researchers.

College Professors need Graduate Degrees in their areas but not in teaching, nor do they need a teaching license. Knowing a subject and teaching it are two different things.

Student teacher ratios need to be even. In large universities, some professors have "pit classes" that can have 100 or more students. They are give TAs but never get to know the students personally. This is the fault of the university.

Few college teachers, or any teacher goes into it to become wealthy. (If they did they wouldnt be smart). Most really love their subject and are doing it because of an interest.

Answer 3

Is there enough room to type it all. I had a professor when I took intro to chem and he talked to us like we were in Chem 2..A lot of professors don't talk to you on your level..They act like you are supposed to know what they know when you first start out. Some just think you are dumb and won't try to help you. Some really don't care..you are just a #. I hate teachers who "lecture". I learn much more from in class participation than from someone who "lectures" non stop for 1 hour..Then there are teachers who think their's is the only class that matters..they give you 4 or 5 research papers a sem., a "pop"quiz" almost every class and 7 or 8 chapters of homework every class...I understand the purpose of that..I think. But I think they forget that our spouses, children and others need us and that we have other classes...and a job.

Answer 4

My main complaint is that they are not in touch with what the current job market is. I've heard tons of teachers saying that majors in core classes such as English, Math, physics, psych are good majors.... really they are not and they don't realize that the job market wants very Specific degrees.