Who's teaching who?

            Over the past century the institutions of higher learning in America have experienced a great amount of change.  One such change is how the professors are presenting themselves.  Today’s professors are becoming more like their students than ever before and I believe it’s having positive results in the classroom.   

            The change in how the professors dress is one example.  In the early 20^th century, the classroom was a very professional environment; both the teachers and students wore very strict business attire.  Between the 1950’s and 1970’s there was a shift.  The students began to dress differently; they dressed more for style than for business.  Unlike the students, the professors, for the most part, were still wearing professional attire.  Today, the classroom seems like anything but a professional environment.  Most of the students, and professors, seem to dress more for comfort.  It’s not an uncommon problem on the first day of class to be unable to distinguish the professor from the rest of the students. 

            The way the professors speak is another example.  In order for students to learn the course material they need to be able to understand what’s being said in lecture.  The easiest way to accomplish this is for the professors to speak in terms that the students understand.  This has always been common in the classroom.  Being able to explain the same thing in many different ways is what separates the good professors from the great professors.

To me it seems as if the students are slowly rubbing off on the professors.  Every year the professors seem to become more like the students.  The gap between the students and professors is shrinking.  It’s becoming easier for the students to relate to the professors.  Because of this, the students have become less intimidated to seek help and ask questions.  In this ever changing world of technology, it’s much easier for the students to communicate with their professors. 

Overall, I believe these changes have benefited both the students and the professors.  It’s much easier to succeed in the classroom and they both come out with a positive relationship.

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