If students find the main difference between university and high school is that they could enjoy more freedom and choice to learn in the university, what about the professors? How do professors view the difference between university and high school?
I could only speak for myself, as a former academic. I think professors in general will find universities giving more "privileges" to their teachers than high schools would give to theirs:
1. Universities provide more freedom and choice not only to the students but also to the professors. Examples? I have seen professors who will only teach courses that are their expertise, while most high school teachers do not enjoy this luxury of refusing to teach subjects they are not familiar with (such as Liberal Studies). I have also seen professors who don't come to work everyday (presumably they work from home). High school teachers must come to work in the school as long as it is not a school holiday.
2. Universities provide an environment for both disseminating knowledge through teaching as well as creating new knowledge through conducting research, while high school teachers focus on teaching. Therefore a professor who is not making use of this opportunity to do research and publish is not making the best of his/her job.
3. Universities provide more freedom and opportunities for her staff and students to voice out their social concerns. It is a shame for a university, having received so much resources from the public, to shy away from being 社會良心, i.e. if the majority of her members (staff and students) are indifferent, unconcerned and silent about social problems and injustice.
Therefore, in my opinion, university professors are obliged to shoulder their appropriate share of social responsibilities in view of the more abundant public resources made available to them. In addition, if they enjoy the full benefits and privileges of a university teacher, how could they treat their students like high school kids?
I could only speak for myself, as a former academic. I think professors in general will find universities giving more "privileges" to their teachers than high schools would give to theirs:
1. Universities provide more freedom and choice not only to the students but also to the professors. Examples? I have seen professors who will only teach courses that are their expertise, while most high school teachers do not enjoy this luxury of refusing to teach subjects they are not familiar with (such as Liberal Studies). I have also seen professors who don't come to work everyday (presumably they work from home). High school teachers must come to work in the school as long as it is not a school holiday.
2. Universities provide an environment for both disseminating knowledge through teaching as well as creating new knowledge through conducting research, while high school teachers focus on teaching. Therefore a professor who is not making use of this opportunity to do research and publish is not making the best of his/her job.
3. Universities provide more freedom and opportunities for her staff and students to voice out their social concerns. It is a shame for a university, having received so much resources from the public, to shy away from being 社會良心, i.e. if the majority of her members (staff and students) are indifferent, unconcerned and silent about social problems and injustice.
Therefore, in my opinion, university professors are obliged to shoulder their appropriate share of social responsibilities in view of the more abundant public resources made available to them. In addition, if they enjoy the full benefits and privileges of a university teacher, how could they treat their students like high school kids?
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