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[Thinker]

After reading this section for quite some time a common theme seems to be teacher’s complaining about their students.  Also some recent posts mention the new role of the student as a consumer.  Student’s sense of entitlement of certain things since they are paying for their education.  Due to this sense of entitlement students making demands of their teachers and administrators.

After reading all of this it got me to think about the Air Force, Army, and Navy Academy.  Students that are handpicked, the best of the best.  Students that receive a world class education at no cost to them.  Given this situation, the students are not the consumer, and I would think there is no sense of entitlement.

Has anyone here had any experience working at the Air Force, Army, and Navy Academy?

What was your experience like working there?

Ps
Please forgive any spelling or grammar errors

[prytania]

I wish--all those cute guys in uniform....

[Other Senior Prof]

Yeah, all those cute, white, Christian anti-semite mysogenist guys, hazing each others in the bathrooms . . . evidently it is OK to sodomize someone as long as you don't love them . . .

[prytania]

I stand speechless

[Untenured]

I imagine you are looking for a real answer.  I was invited to lecture to West Point students around 1998 or so.  This was a single visit so take my experience for what it's worth.

When I lectured, I found the students intelligent and attentive.   They seemed a bit rowdy in class, however.  They were quick to start chattering and more difficult to settle down.  A sense of collective bravado perhaps?  In any event, these were sharp students.  There was an opening in my field to teach at West Point.  I did not apply.  I sometimes regret the decision.

Perhaps some years ago I would have been more irreverent, but not after visiting the campus.  I received a full tour from an LTC on the faculty.  He told me the students would assume I was a Congressman's son.  In any event, the place absolutely oozes discipline.  There is little time for frivolous activities for these men and women.  Salutes are everywhere and respect was constant.  Tradition was of course omnipresent.  I even visited the official Army Mule.  There was a large "A" either branded or shaved (I can't remember which) into its fur.  I stroked it's snout.  Cute little fellow.

I also learned of the Thayer method of teaching.  Apparently some luminary named Thayer taught class by asking if there were any questions.  If no student responded, class was over and on to the next topic.  Students learned to ask questions fast, from what I'm told.  I don't think it's practiced anymore.

I'm not one to shake the saber at a moments notice, but a visit to The Point was inspiring.  The bullsh*t quotient was practically zero.  I wish my students were as such.

Untenured

[%sig%]

[Alice]

I did a visiting lecture at Virginia Military Institute when it was still all-male, and the military ritualism was creepy. The civilian faculty had to wear army uniforms and have military titles, and the cadets were chronically saluting everyone.

They have a stuffed horse in the museum, and that's great to see. But the mural of the cadets going out to fight the Yankees in the Civil War is horrifying--14-yr-old boys sent out to die.

There's a very high rate of rape and sexual abuse in the military academies, and Susan Faludi's book _Stiffed_ has a section on secret gays and homophobia at The Citadel.

[%sig%]

[to other senior prof]

I am shocked at your reaction to this post, Other Sr Prof; you are usually so reasonable and non-judgmental - are you really the person who usually posts under this name?

[Velvet Elvis]

"I also learned of the Thayer method of teaching. Apparently some luminary named Thayer taught class by asking if there were any questions. If no student responded, class was over and on to the next topic. Students learned to ask questions fast, from what I'm told. I don't think it's practiced anymore."

I'd really like to know more about that.  Do you still use it?  Does it work?  I had a high school teacher who did that and liked it.

VE.

[Untenured]

Hi Velvet,

Good question.  I really don't know much about it and I've never dared to use it myself.  Here is a link that briefly describes the method.

http://thisenddown.theblivit.net/archives/000810.php

The best source might also be West Point itself:

http://www.usma.edu

I have not heard of any discussions of the Thayer method's teaching efficiacy.  I imagine that would be an interesting topic for pedagogical research though.  I wish I could be of more help.

Untenured

[%sig%]

[former CoSpgs resident]

I lived in Colorado Springs for 20 years and knew a lot of the AFA faculty, both permanent & those who did  tours of duty there. They were all very bright, well educated, and, well, military. I liked and respected most of them. The students are also bright  but I  thought they had a  attitude.  Some of the locals and non-academy Air Force people refer to the institution as the ******* Factory.

[Other Senior Prof]

Wasn't me.  And I've taught over 1,000 military officers in my career, mainly Air Force.

[Pro Good Manners]

Author: Other Senior Prof 
Date:   07-05-05 21:18

Yeah, all those cute, white, Christian anti-semite mysogenist guys, hazing each others in the bathrooms . . . evidently it is OK to sodomize someone as long as you don't love them . . .


---------------------

Obviously this imposter is a troll.  What poor manners.

[%sig%]

[to other sr prof]

Whew, had me questioning my faith in humanity for a moment.  Sorry I ever doubted you, OSP!  

Bad troll! (but is there any other kind?)

[anon47]

Personally, I figured Other Senior Prof knew how to spell misogynist.

[okay, okay....]

...I was gullible to ever buy it.  I apologize for the lapse in good judgment.