On teaching at the University: Brief comments

Abstract

This reflection on university teaching seeks only to propose questions which foment new lines of thought. They spring from the experience of the author, whose main concern has been to foster a sociological approach to rural development. The book Transforming Agricultural Education has been another source of inspiration for interpellations such as: do economics and agronomy as we teach them help to combat global famine? What contribution can agriculture make to the country? Should a new agronomy enter the curriculum of environment, food, health, economics and finance? What is the relationship between teaching and learning? Do we care enough about the students? Are we simply using new technologies for old teaching methods? Is professional training disconnected from soft skills? The universities must confront fear and uncritical bureaucracy and take three steps: put the learning process in the teachers agenda; understand the demoralizing causes of their demotivation; change to a more collective approach via educational programs, work experience, actions of science communication programs and international research projects.