Comments on: The “Terminal Degree” http://www.devmorgan.com/blog/2008/03/21/the-terminal-degree/ Code Monkey and Grad Student Extraordinaire Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:38:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: devmorgan.com » Blog Archive » Imagine RIT.. meh http://www.devmorgan.com/blog/2008/03/21/the-terminal-degree/#comment-509 devmorgan.com » Blog Archive » Imagine RIT.. meh Sat, 03 May 2008 22:44:19 +0000 http://www.devmorgan.com/blog/2008/03/21/the-terminal-degree/#comment-509 [...] spend so much time in it that it takes away from the practical application. This is where me and President Destler disagree with how the university should be going, but I really do believe the idea behind Imagine RIT is a [...] […] spend so much time in it that it takes away from the practical application. This is where me and President Destler disagree with how the university should be going, but I really do believe the idea behind Imagine RIT is a […]

]]> By: devmorgan.com » Blog Archive » RIT’s Dilemma http://www.devmorgan.com/blog/2008/03/21/the-terminal-degree/#comment-452 devmorgan.com » Blog Archive » RIT’s Dilemma Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:06:09 +0000 http://www.devmorgan.com/blog/2008/03/21/the-terminal-degree/#comment-452 [...] Code Monkey and Grad Student Extraordinaire « The “Terminal Degree” April Fools’ Day [...] […] Code Monkey and Grad Student Extraordinaire « The “Terminal Degree” April Fools’ Day […]

]]> By: Jay http://www.devmorgan.com/blog/2008/03/21/the-terminal-degree/#comment-239 Jay Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:36:15 +0000 http://www.devmorgan.com/blog/2008/03/21/the-terminal-degree/#comment-239 Well said, Dave. The reason I went to RIT was for the teaching atmosphere that used to be the primary focus. Let's think about technology for a second... how much do you REALLY learn in the classroom or by reading a book when it comes to bleeding edge technology? My entire curriculum at RIT revolved around workshops and "learning by doing" kinds of classes - and it worked very well for me. I'm not saying that Ph.D's are terrible professors by any means, but there's a different level of "expertise" (as you put it) that defines the movers and shakers out there today... the ones who roll with the punches, have BEEN in start-ups and had to wear all sorts of hats. THOSE are the folks i want to hear from (if they're willing) - the folks who can impart life lessons along with the compromises that they had to make in the real world to achieve their goals. I don't need any more textbooks and theory - I can read that on my own time. Academic research is all well and good because it gets your name out there, but don't do it at the cost of the professors who kick ass for their students, and don't do it at the expense of the students who want to apply the research to a revolutionary project - that's what's going to keep you from world renown. Well said, Dave. The reason I went to RIT was for the teaching atmosphere that used to be the primary focus. Let’s think about technology for a second… how much do you REALLY learn in the classroom or by reading a book when it comes to bleeding edge technology? My entire curriculum at RIT revolved around workshops and “learning by doing” kinds of classes - and it worked very well for me.

I’m not saying that Ph.D’s are terrible professors by any means, but there’s a different level of “expertise” (as you put it) that defines the movers and shakers out there today… the ones who roll with the punches, have BEEN in start-ups and had to wear all sorts of hats. THOSE are the folks i want to hear from (if they’re willing) - the folks who can impart life lessons along with the compromises that they had to make in the real world to achieve their goals. I don’t need any more textbooks and theory - I can read that on my own time.

Academic research is all well and good because it gets your name out there, but don’t do it at the cost of the professors who kick ass for their students, and don’t do it at the expense of the students who want to apply the research to a revolutionary project - that’s what’s going to keep you from world renown.

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