<p>Well, they tried year-round schooling at the lower grade levels and the results were mixed at best. Summer gives college students and professors time to work on other things. Students can work and profs can do inintererrupted research work, travel to other research sites or just chill and refresh. It’s a good thing. The US works too hard as it is.</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree ^ the us does work too hard and takes minute vacations in comparison to Europe. Sorry if this is a bit OT but.i.just haf to say that I agree…hey that rhymed! ;)</p>
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<p>The above statement really addresses the basic problem with the entire TAship, and why there are such drastic differences among the people who are asked or forced to be part of the teaching experience. There are indeed a number of aspiring professors who have embraced the teaching part of academia. But, but, what is the number who have NO intention ever to be standing in front of a classroom. Many of them come to the US to continue their education and not to prepare to be instructors. Working in the private sector, for the government, or pursue scientific research are much, much higher on their lists. Just as the faculty that directs them, many view the teaching of undergraduates as a nuisane, and perhaps a passages of rites, if not a purgatory. </p>
<p>The issue is not about the dedicated PhD candidates --even if they happen to have a change of heart because of the deteriorating conditions in academia-- … the problem is with expecting untrained, unmotivated, and probably poorly qualified STUDENTS to become able to teach or even lead class sessions. I also think that many have a poor understaning of the weight placed on the sessions. In many cases, the lecture given by the academic diva might be interesting, but hardly complete. Students learn in a proactive and collaborative manner. So, who is there to provide the necessary guidance for papers? </p>
<p>Do we really expect a student who is a few months older than you to be that person? Does that person really have the background and education to grade papers in non STEM areas. While a monkey armed with an answer key for multiple questions tests could grade, this is hardly the case for many subjects. Add a halting command of English, and you have a recipe for disaster. At least, for the poor students who have no other choice.</p>
<p>If this were such a good idea, why not apply it to our K-12. Have the kindergarten students being taught by elementary schools students; and themselves taught by middle schoolers. And so on! Seriously?</p>
<p>The reality is that being taught or led by glorified amateurs is hardly compatible with the cost of our education system. When asked to spend more than 50,000 per annum, one could expect a lot more. This runaway train will not stay too much longer on its rails.</p>
<p>Haha, could the same not be said about the whole institution of teaching itself? Especially at the high school level all you need is a masters degree (~2 years I think) and then you go onto teaching high schoolers. It’s not hard to.pretend to be a saint for two years.</p>