Letter to the editor

Students responsible for learning’s
future

BruinCast is an extremely useful addition to teaching, but it
would be a pity if the only time the entire class got together was
for exams.

Recently, the Los Angeles Times had a feature article asking
whether iPods would replace students on seats. The article mentions
pop quizzes and mandatory attendance as tools to keep students
coming to lecture.

I have videotaped my lectures for reserve in Powell Library
since 1992, but until this year their quality was never good enough
to be competitive.

My classes now have pop quizzes to encourage routine attendance,
although I think we should instead discuss what advantages students
get from being present at lectures when they could view them from
home.

That is, what do students want from their education?

I see the advantages connected to feelings of atmosphere, a
sense of progress, participation, community, interest, motivation
and efficiency. For instance, some of my college lectures come back
even more vividly now as their content becomes clearer with
experience.

Altruism must occur as well, since a poorly attended lecture or
performance is depressing for all, including professors.

Hopefully, students learn from each other when a critical mass
is present.

My position is that students are responsible for their own
education, so the quality of teaching available to them in part
follows what they demand and/or will tolerate.

If there is a wide demand for taped copies to substitute for
live lectures, the copies will surely move to be the norm.

I anticipate professors recording in front of an empty stage and
reusing their tapes over many years. Their novel contributions will
be to hold office hours and make fresh exams each year.
“Education” may consist mostly of examination results
with few of the intangibles we presently enjoy.

John Merriam

Vice chairman of molecular, cell and developmental biology