I think part of it may have to do with all the new technology. Institutions are feeling pressure to be on the cutting edge as far as computer labs, libraries and student networks go, not to mention projectors and smartboards. Plus, I have seen a lot of construction and newly constructed buildings for dorms and other facilities, aimed at keeping schools competitively attractive. Maybe that keeping-up-with-the-joneses is a result of living in New England, where there are so many (expensive) institutions so close together. Anyway, it doesn't seem like many young professors are on the tenure track these days; a good friend of mine adjuncts at two places and tutors ESL at a third and he still lives with his college roommate.
I always found it quite enthralling when a prof could just get up with marker and a white board (or chalk, whatever) and just go. As a physics student it felt like magic to me to see someone solving complex problems with nothing but their brain. I hate "learning technology", and I think the emphasis on it in schools is silly and counterproductive. Learning has nothing to do with posting on a class message board. Edit: I think I may suffer from grumpy old man syndrome. I'm only 31. I feel bad for people that have to interact with me when I'm 60 or 70.
I've worked in both settings and honestly, most of the time I prefer just me and a whiteboard. It's better for students to take real notes instead of downloading them anyway. There are a few instances where technology in the classroom is very helpful, but to require it in every classroom is wrong. I'm 28 and I've been accused of that too. Maybe it's something common for our generation?
So sad that in 10 years all the new stuff they buy will be outdated. The floor is going to drop out from under higher education at some point in the not-too-distant future. It's just not worth the cost, especially when the quality of the education is falling. I would not take out a sizeable loan for a college education right now. It's simply not worth it.I think part of it may have to do with all the new technology. Institutions are feeling pressure to be on the cutting edge as far as computer labs, libraries and student networks go, not to mention projectors and smartboards.
I think this is something that universities are starting to understand and thus, are doing what they can to make their facilities as attractive as possible. I wouldn't be surprised if in order to continue operating, higher education will have to undergo extensive changes. For one, they'll have to figure out how to become much more efficient, which means cutting teaching stipends from Ph.D candidates who have been there for close to ten years. I imagine that the tenure system will have to change at some point too, as will retaining big names at the university who draw in students, but in actuality, teach little if at all and may not even contribute to research. I think you're right to point out that the customers (students) are getting shortchanged. Part of the problem with universities is that there are too many competing interests bound together in a model that doesn't serve any of them as best it can. Teaching is separate from research is separate from sports is separate from opportunities to interact with many members of their peer group semi-independently. All are important and worthwhile in their own way, but I think that how these things are achieved could be approached differently.