It is a vast over-generalization to say that all of the students are visual learners who do not read, but a good fraction in my class seem to be just that. Our students seem to be much more comfortable watching TV than anything else. It will be our challenge to keep up with, and make use of, the new technologies available to teach the current and next generation of students. As an organic chemist I make extensive use of the laboratory setting to teach students. In this regard research is very valuable.
Research is a hands-on, interactive type of teaching.
The next generation of students will need to learn not only how to carry out research, but why research is important. All students, not just those involved in the research lab, can be introduced to the importance of continuing research. When our students become our legislators, if we have not convinced them of the importance of scientific research we will have failed in an important aspect of our job.