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Letter to the editor: Drexel's professors unfairly maligned
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Ed-Op
- Page 1 of 1
Dear Editor:
I must disagree with Aditi Dubey's commentary ("Drexel professors must be hired as educators, not just researchers," The Triangle, Sept. 20, p.6). In fact, I never had a class taught by a TA. Also, there's nothing wrong with using technology such as Powerpoint presentations, even for math classes, since the equations can be shown step by step, as they always were in my own math classes. Also, Powerpoint presentations can be placed online for students to review at their own leisure, which cannot be the case if the professors writes out and erases the material on a board or overhead projector.
In fact, one professor I know of even went so far as to arrange for a special final exam for seniors in the class so that they may have a chance to raise their grades high enough to pass before final grades were due at the registrar's office. Astonishingly, none of these students took this opportunity. I never had difficulties getting recommendations; sterling ones at that. If there's any problem, it's only with those students that choose to do the minimum to graduate, but still expect everything from a great GPA to great recommendations.
In today's world, the focus is on research. Drexel is just trying to stay with the crowd. Whether this research-orientated view is right or wrong is debatable, but the world is what it is. So here's a message to today's students: excel and outdo yourself, and please do not unnecessarily malign your professors. There are a few bad apples, but the vast majority of professors are just waiting for you to knock on their door and offer your talents to enhance your chosen field of study.
Vivek Thuppil
Environmental Science '06
I must disagree with Aditi Dubey's commentary ("Drexel professors must be hired as educators, not just researchers," The Triangle, Sept. 20, p.6). In fact, I never had a class taught by a TA. Also, there's nothing wrong with using technology such as Powerpoint presentations, even for math classes, since the equations can be shown step by step, as they always were in my own math classes. Also, Powerpoint presentations can be placed online for students to review at their own leisure, which cannot be the case if the professors writes out and erases the material on a board or overhead projector.
In fact, one professor I know of even went so far as to arrange for a special final exam for seniors in the class so that they may have a chance to raise their grades high enough to pass before final grades were due at the registrar's office. Astonishingly, none of these students took this opportunity. I never had difficulties getting recommendations; sterling ones at that. If there's any problem, it's only with those students that choose to do the minimum to graduate, but still expect everything from a great GPA to great recommendations.
In today's world, the focus is on research. Drexel is just trying to stay with the crowd. Whether this research-orientated view is right or wrong is debatable, but the world is what it is. So here's a message to today's students: excel and outdo yourself, and please do not unnecessarily malign your professors. There are a few bad apples, but the vast majority of professors are just waiting for you to knock on their door and offer your talents to enhance your chosen field of study.
Vivek Thuppil
Environmental Science '06
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Z
posted 10/01/07 @ 12:30 PM EST
I have had way too many classes taught by TA's. In fact, many of them didn't speak a lick of english, which, taking the right math or science classes, makes the class absolutely unbearable. (Continued…)
Jordan
posted 10/05/07 @ 1:11 AM EST
You are a current student who sounds very unhappy with the school you have chosen to attend. You are trying to insult an alumni who is happy with their alma mater and probably their life. (Continued…)
Phil Quasco
posted 10/11/07 @ 8:35 PM EST
Many undergraduate classes are taught by TA's, many who can, at best, speak broken English.
I say to professors who want a "College Teaching Job", teach college classes. (Continued…)
Not Z
posted 10/16/07 @ 9:31 AM EST
Yes, Phil - colleges should abandon research and focus on teaching. And to cover the shortfall from lost research revenue, the tuition can be raised to $84,000 a year, not including board. (Continued…)
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