In order to improve the quality of instruction at the college and university level, all faculty should be required to spend time working outside the academic world in professions relevant to the courses they teach.

[Peach]

This is the first message. Hopefully the article can encourage more
braver to devote their post!

Intuitively, I would give a big “Yes” to this topic. But the word
“all” makes the statement an obligation instead of a recommendation.
Some merits and drawbacks are listed below.
From the supportive point of view:
1. The combination of academic and industrial experiences can help
our professors verify theories or inspire their imagination from
different angles. As a result they can inquire their subject from
different angles.
Ex. Richard Feynman, who participated in Manhattan Project to make
atomic bomb.

2. In industry they will need to coordinate among different
departments. In other words, they need to illuminate their ideas to
other people. This process can help them learn how to express their
thoughts. Accordingly, they might use these skills to their students.

From the disagree point of view:
1. There is no guarantee that the quality of course can be
upgraded as long as the professor spent their time outside the
academic world. On contrary, they might be too tired to focus on their
original research and lecture thus the quality will decrease.

2. It is doubtful that you can only gain some useful experience only
from professions related to the courses. I would contend that it is
more efficient to spend time on Carnegie training instead of their
professions.


My essay:

It is a general saying that in order to improve the quality of
instructions in college and university level, we should obligate all
faculty to spend their time outside the academic world in the
profession which is related to the courses taught by themselves.
However, it is very dangerous to agree with this statement when you
jump to the conclusion
The linkage between the quality of instructions and professional
experiences from outside academic world is neither obvious nor
deductive. We do not know what is the main factor attributed to lower
the quality of instructions. If the main reason under the table is
that our faculty are outdated in their professional area, then this
solution might work out. Nevertheless, if our lecturers have trouble
in teaching methodology or oral presentation, then the statement could
not be an economical way to solve this problem. Moreover, I would say
that it might be more efficient to urge our lecturers to go through
some Carnegie training in order to improve their oral expressions.

Besides, it is a distraction for the faculty to ask them squeeze some
time beyond lecturing and researching. When a human is exhausted, his
or her working ability could be catastrophically decreased. In other
words, our lecturers could commit mistakes on fundamental detail, lose
their manner frequently, or make mistakes when they maneuver
apparatus. For example, one professor of my university died in a car
crash several years ago. The reason for the accident was that he fell
asleep while he was driving. He assiduously worked ten to twelve hours
a day and the burden simply crash him. The time management turns out
to be a dilemma for professors who need to change their roles among
lab, classroom, and industry.

It is true that experiences in outer academic field could benefit
faculty in some degree. Not only by providing chances for our scholars
to communicate with other coworkers, but also broadening their
horizon. Nonetheless, all those advantages might gender severe side
effects as mentioned above. If the professor finds obstacles in
illustrating his or her ideas to students, language training center
such as Carnegie, will perform a better mentor during the improving
process. On the other hand, since information blasts out nowadays,
people can find inspiration 10 times faster than in the past.
Professors can easily find all kinds of essential materials and
references either on internet or in books without participating
activities outside academy. Take the merits and drawbacks into
consideration meanwhile, the better choice is obvious.

In conclusion, there are both virtues and disadvantages from these
two aspects. But after meticulous consideration, I would say we should
let our faculty decide which is the best way fit their personalities
and life styles.

Looking forward to any sharing!








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