1 / 16

Observations about higher education in the US

Observations about higher education in the US. Peter Mayer, currently UW Oshkosh. Higher education in the US at a high level. Universities here provide wonderful conditions for students and staff.

lamar-tate
Download Presentation

Observations about higher education in the US

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Observations about higher education in the US Peter Mayer, currently UW Oshkosh

  2. Higher education in the US at a high level Universities here provide wonderful conditions for students and staff. • Lecture halls, class size, teaching aides, dormitories, recreational facilities,, services are all excellent. Facilities for academics are excellent. Dr. Peter Mayer

  3. Total spending for higher education The US is among the top three countries in terms of spending for higher education. This is wonderful and positive in terms of preparing the society for the future. When looking at the contribution of the private and public sector, it is the private contribution which makes the difference. Dr. Peter Mayer

  4. Loans and higher education It is difficult for Europeans to appreciate your model of financing of higher education with respect of student loans and students getting into considerable debt. Dr. Peter Mayer

  5. Testing and learning progress Your testing culture is unique. There has been an interesting development of techniques. We can learn from this. But. Dr. Peter Mayer

  6. Learning how to write • In Germany, a bachelor program cannot be accredited without including a major thesis at the end of the program. Writing a thesis with 40-60 pages is typically considered like the crown on the educational path. • May be this is something you could introduce as well. Dr. Peter Mayer

  7. International dimension Most European universities have a more pronounced interest in international matters. International semesters integrated into the program, joint summer universities, internships abroad, joint bachelor or master programs are almost standard. I feel that Wisconsin plays below its potential. Dr. Peter Mayer

  8. Bachelor, master and Phd as standard • The introduction of the bachelor and master degrees (Bologna process) brought about fundamental change: new programs, new structures, new components such as credit points, modular systems. • The system is still seen controversially. Dr. Peter Mayer

  9. Who should continue with a Master degree? • Some argue that the vast majority should finish with the master degree. The bachelor students, so their view, are not ready for the labor market, both in terms of skills and age. • What about this discussion in the US? Dr. Peter Mayer

  10. Supporting the weak students Services for weak students are impressive. Germans might learn from you. At the same time, most professors would reject such an approach. Dr. Peter Mayer

  11. professional leadership There is a discussion in Germany about the length of service of provosts, chancellors and deans: Should we have higher education management experts, working over the years at different universities, specializing on managing universities? I feel your system avoids some of the problems we have, but has weaknesses as well. Dr. Peter Mayer

  12. Quality management and accreditation The pros and cons of quality management, this is a hot debate in Germany and Europe. The natural approach you seem to have here is far away from our reality. Dr. Peter Mayer

  13. Crisis of teaching economics The financial crisis in 2008 led to a broad ongoing public debate about the failure of economics and teaching economics. Issues are: • What is the role of mathematics? • What is the role of ethics in our curriculum? • How much social skills is appropriate? Dr. Peter Mayer

  14. Crisis of teaching economics • How should we deal with the rationality assumption in economics? Is more behavioral economics the answer? • What do we learn from the failed liberalization experiences. Should we revisit the role of the state? • What do we learn from economic progress in countries like China, India, or Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark? Dr. Peter Mayer

  15. Crisis of teaching economics • Intensive debate whether we need a redirection towards happiness and happiness research. • Should teaching of economics be more open towards a political science perspective? Dr. Peter Mayer

  16. Thank you for the opportunity to share my observations. Dr. Peter Mayer

More Related