Rishihood University VC Shobhit Mathur on Why Great Teaching Matters
While the term”digital” has come to define our epoch today, a stark reality confronts us: the average attention span of a human being has dropped dramatically—from 12 seconds in 2000 to just 8 seconds in 2015, as per a Microsoft study. While we pride ourselves as being the most intelligent species on the planet, this attention span is shorter than that of a goldfish. And, it has gotten much worse since the pandemic. Jonathan Haidt, a prominent social psychologist, has conducted research suggesting that excessive exposure to digital media, particularly social media, can influence how younger generations process information. This includes a shorter attention span and a preference for rapid-fire content, which can make it challenging to focus on longer, more in-depth presentations like lectures. As a result, engaging students in the classroom has become increasingly difficult, particularly in higher education. Additionally, today’s students no longer need professors to deliver information. The internet is overflowing with quality educational content—whether from AI-powered tools or educational platforms. What students do need are teachers who can inspire them in the classroom, engage their curiosity, and guide them in applying knowledge in creative and critical ways.
The digital revolution has also significantly raised students’ expectations on content and experience. They now compare traditional classroom experiences with the content available online, which is often more visually engaging and interactive. Professors now find themselves competing with these technologies to capture and maintain their students’ attention. They now need to engage students that mirror the interactivity students experience in the digital world. Moreover, AI tools and personalized learning platforms have set a high bar for the individualization of education. Faculty members are now competing with algorithms that can adapt lessons to a student’s learning style and pace.
However, the faculty in our universities have not been formally trained to handle this growing challenge. The process of earning a PhD often involves rigorous study in a specialized field, with little to no emphasis on pedagogy or teaching techniques. While professors may excel in their respective areas of research, many are underprepared to manage the dynamic and often distracted environment of today’s classrooms. It’s time to move from faculty delivering information to faculty delivering inspiration to learn. However, very few faculty can improvise and become great teachers and deliver inspiration. Many need formal institutional support to develop this skill. Unfortunately, teaching is often viewed by university administrators as a task that faculty members will “figure out” on their own. This approach is unsustainable going forward.
Just as universities have established research centers to promote innovation and scholarship, it is time they establish teaching centers to train faculty in pedagogy and classroom engagement. These centers would offer courses and workshops on active learning, student engagement, and integrating digital tools into the classroom. A teacher who is trained to use interactive teaching methods—such as discussion-based learning, group activities, and real-world problem solving—can make a significant impact on student engagement and learning outcomes. Many universities abroad, particularly in the United States, have already established teaching centers to help faculty improve their classroom engagement techniques. India, however, is lagging behind in this regard. Establishing teaching centers within Indian universities is an essential step toward improving the quality of education.
Additionally, while research output has traditionally been the dominant factor in faculty appraisals, this is no longer sufficient. Student feedback on teaching quality should play a central role in faculty evaluations. Professors who consistently receive high ratings from students for their ability to engage and inspire learning should be rewarded, just as those who excel in research are. This will not only improve classroom experiences but will also create a culture where teaching excellence is celebrated. To ensure that teaching is valued, universities should provide incentives for faculty members who receive high scores for their teaching. Awards for teaching excellence, promotions tied to teaching performance, and professional development opportunities focused on pedagogy can all help shift the focus toward better teaching. Universities can also create fellowships and grants specifically for faculty who excel in teaching, encouraging pedagogical innovation just as they do to encourage research.
If we truly see education as the cornerstone of societal progress, then the role of teaching in our universities must be elevated to match that vision. Be it the best design colleges in India, leading research institutions, engineering universities, business schools for MBA or BBA courses: the immense responsibility of shaping the minds of millions of young people, Indian universities must make the quality of teaching their highest priority. In a world where information is readily available, the teacher's role has never been more challenging—or more vital. The time has come for teaching to transcend mere instruction and become a source of lasting inspiration.
Shobhit Mathur is Co-Founder and Vice-chancellor of Rishihood University in Haryana.
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