Nick Martin的动态

I think this is a symptom of the commodification of education as a whole. We started hiring CEOs (no offense) to run universities and college systems, despite having no direct experience teaching or working with students. We started creating a *product* instead of a *process,* and while this might have increased profit margins, it has been detrimental to employees, students, and the modern workplace imo.

Insightful comment, Nick Martin - I think you're right on target. I co-taught an online course as an adjunct at University of Denver in winter 2020 (while still working full time in the career center) and it was astounding to me how much work it was for such little pay. Being early in my career I wanted to have that teaching experience, but I could see how unsustainable it was for other adjuncts. ?? I don't think we'll ever lose our love of higher education in the U.S., and I'm a huge believer in the transformative power of education. That said, our current system is wildly unsustainable and I'm 100% supporter of lowering education costs and changing the structure of education so students aren't saddled with student loan debt, instructors are paid fairly, and our workforce has the skilled workforce it needs. ?? With the enrollment cliff also quickly approaching, universities are going to be increasingly forced to give data and clear information about how the education they provide is *actually* preparing students for their careers after graduation. At a macro scale, we're changing what the relationship is between work, education, and technology, and unfortunately students and adjuncts are caught in the gap of those forces.

Higher education is broken in some ways. I spent most of my career there and feel those who spend the most face-time with students (the reason we are there) were often valued and compensated the least. There also isn't enough context in learning in many places. Where I worked, students did co-op and were able to alternate between real-world and the classroom, bringing their education into context. At other schools, this can be a struggle. My last thought is that adjuncts bear a lot of the burden around teaching and are not treated or compensated fairly. It is not this way at every university, but at far too many. It is time for new shiny buildings and residence halls to take a backseat to innovations in learning, but in today's market that is tough. I wish I had answers, but instead I just share your view.

I taught my first graduate school course in 2012, at the same school where I got my masters, and like you, I loved everything about it. Agree also: it was a lot of work for very little money. I did it for two years until a new program lead came in, reduced the number of adjuncts teaching (as you said, they/we are expendable), and I had to give it up. I have stayed close with former students and contribute informally through my own alumni network via mentoring and in other ways. I 100% agree with you: the big picture systemic priorities have changed. And that's sad. But after reading your post, what i really want to share with you is this: It sounds like you need a break! Step away. You already have so many ways that you teach and share with others, through this platform and IRL. If teaching is still calling your name this time next year, and you find some university knocking at your door, you can decide then if it's the right thing. You'll always be a great teacher for others, Nick, whether in the classroom or in other venues. Good luck! ??

With a global pandemic and inflation along with learners wanting more flexibility and value for their education, more students are skipping higher education altogether or acquiring skills quickly in boot camps which cost way less than a traditional degree program to enter the workforce. In addition to this, many faculty members are fed up with being underappreciated and undervalued. It's a matter of time before colleges and universities wake up and smell the coffee and reconsider their priorities before it's too late.

Nick Martin; Revisiting a relevant post... "A fundamental reason why educators quit (for those still unclear) – Since at least the late 1960s, education researchers have known that the most important factor influencing student outcomes is teacher quality... The implication of this research is clear: To improve student outcomes, colleges and universities need to promote policies that will allow them to attract, hire, and retain the best teachers... Mills's current administration has managed to nearly destroy a 170-year-old college over the course of just six years.?In 2015, Mills altered its student applications and suffered staff turnover in the admissions office... Mills's administration then botched the ensuing—and largely self-inflicted—financial crisis. In the usual pattern, they slashed instructional spending and fired faculty, while simultaneously increasing spending on administrative functions." Hendricks,?M.?D. (2022, April 20).?The plight of mills college should be an alarm for American higher ed.?The American Prospect. #careers #humanresources #management

As both a student and former student-facing professional, this post really resonates with me and is something I have noticed too unfortunately. As an undergrad, I didn't feel supported at all and as a student advisor, I felt like I was constantly struggling against the system to provide my students with the support they deserved. I really believe in education so I'm trying to explore if there are other ways for me to be involved. If anyone has any volunteer suggestions for someone with higher education administration experience in NYC, feel free to let me know!

Thank you for sharing Nick?- glad you're hanging in there! I've seen some universities moving away from the in-class model for learning and support. Think third party/non-educational companies (even startups) who invest in a particular topic or pain point for a set amount of time (a semester or a little less). I've seen internships/Experiential Learning central in this model.? Unfortunately, the model doesn't help repair the issues you've mentioned either. ???? Just something different to offer.?

I admire your passion and drive on that for such a long time. I do not have a position in academia, instead I teach as a ?freelance Professor“ where the salary is close to zero. I only do it, if I can afford working for nothing. Right now, I acctually cannot afford that, as I am living from my savings, but I have the time to do so. I enjoy learning new topics whoch gives me at least some small benefit of my work.

Thanks for your honesty here, Nick. I've been thinking about exploring adjunct opportunities as the gray hairs continue to sprout. One of the main conclusions I draw from your article is to avoid the prestigious schools that might serve my own ego more than the genuine experience. Am I correct that finding the right fit with the educational institution is where to place emphasis? Thanks for always creating such great content for us all, Nick! You're a gem.