Joseph Weizenbaum described something similar in "Die Macht der Computer und die Ohnmacht der Vernunft" (I don't know the real English title, it translates to smthg. like 'the power of computer and the powerlessness of sanity'). He complaints that often computers are used to "keep alive" already existing processes that were already outdated. But with the help of computing power, you would be able to "keep it alive". Nevertheless, redefining the process would we more effective.
IMHO computers are a tool that tempts people to act with too little considering what they are doing. I wouldn't exclude myself;)
This is actually what I feel that is happening in Germany, as well. We have (had) technical colleges (in German "Fachhochschule") and Universities. Currently I have the impression that Universities are trying to move more into the direction of technical colleges and vice-versa. In summary, I think the main drivers are: money (for Universities) and reputation (for the technical colleges).
Being at a University my main concerns obviously is the impression that we are producing fewer and fewer thinkers. For German Universities third party funding (i.e. "projects"), especially with industry involved, is a very important monetary resource - and of growing in importance. But of course, it is hard to produce thinkers, when you are tightly working together with industrial partners. because industry focuses on their products.
On the other hand, it is "cool" to have good industry contacts, if you are an University. Being theoretical and abstract is kinda out. I'm not sure, what the reason for this is, but it might have something to do with the job market (as quoted above) and the funding depending on the number of students that you have.
Maybe, a diversification is needed? Maybe one day, there will be Universities that find the slogan "we produce the most abstract thinking theorists" appealing? But the current development to equalize the engineering schools and university degrees (to some extend) by introducing the master and bachelor degree is not in favor of this development.
I have the hope that over time, maybe industry accepts bachelor as an engineering degree - THE engineering degree. Maybe it would be feasible then to have the lecture for master to be far more theoretical?
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Joseph Weizenbaum described something similar in "Die Macht der Computer und die Ohnmacht der Vernunft" (I don't know the real English title, it translates to smthg. like 'the power of computer and the powerlessness of sanity'). He complaints that often computers are used to "keep alive" already existing processes that were already outdated. But with the help of computing power, you would be able to "keep it alive". Nevertheless, redefining the process would we more effective. IMHO computers are a tool that tempts people to act with too little considering what they are doing. I wouldn't exclude myself ;)
This is actually what I feel that is happening in Germany, as well. We have (had) technical colleges (in German "Fachhochschule") and Universities. Currently I have the impression that Universities are trying to move more into the direction of technical colleges and vice-versa. In summary, I think the main drivers are: money (for Universities) and reputation (for the technical colleges).
a ders-and-thinkers.html)
Being at a University my main concerns obviously is the impression that we are producing fewer and fewer thinkers. For German Universities third party funding (i.e. "projects"), especially with industry involved, is a very important monetary resource - and of growing in importance. But of course, it is hard to produce thinkers, when you are tightly working together with industrial partners. because industry focuses on their products.
On the other hand, it is "cool" to have good industry contacts, if you are an University. Being theoretical and abstract is kinda out. I'm not sure, what the reason for this is, but it might have something to do with the job market (as quoted above) and the funding depending on the number of students that you have.
Maybe, a diversification is needed? Maybe one day, there will be Universities that find the slogan "we produce the most abstract thinking theorists" appealing? But the current development to equalize the engineering schools and university degrees (to some extend) by introducing the master and bachelor degree is not in favor of this development.
I have the hope that over time, maybe industry accepts bachelor as an engineering degree - THE engineering degree. Maybe it would be feasible then to have the lecture for master to be far more theoretical?
alex (http://alexander-behring.blogspot.com/2007/01/tr