Author: Lizeth Castillo
Each professor has a different teaching style—some like to lecture while others prefer to let students facilitate discussions—but with tuition fees exceeding $30,000 a year, what exactly are you paying for when you walk into a classroom? While student-led discussions can often provide you with the perspective of another college student, many people think the instruction is best left to the paid professional.
As an ECLS major, I often encounter both aspects of the teaching spectrum. I’ve been in classes where professors believe the material is a little harder to understand, and therefore take the straight lecture approach. Conversely, I’ve had courses where the instructor will introduce important topics that should be addressed, and then leaves it up to the students to build discussions about specific text material.
In my opinion, there has to be a fairly balanced mixture between these two approaches, especially when the course calls for it. While it’s all fine and dandy to hear what other people think about the assigned reading and such, I think it’s vital to get the professor’s input on the material. In certain subjects I’m personally uncomfortable being taught solely in group or class discussions. It’s a well-known fact that exams are not based on how your peers interpreted the text, so gaining perspective from the person delivering your final grade is a good idea.
Moreover, how does the quality of the classroom experience relate to the amount of money being taken from your account? Paying for yearly tuition is like entering a contract—one which stipulates that professors will do whatever is necessary to ensure an exceptional education—after all, that is why we pay more for a smaller learning environment. Listening to other students discuss how they interpreted material is not always the “quality” education we seek. I think we’ve all come across those few students who simply enjoy the sound of their own voice.
This subject is not particularly black or white, but a shade of grey. I’ve come across more people who prefer a course that is both lecturing and discussion. “It sucks when you’re not prepared,” first-year Dori Wooton said about class discussions. “But it’s a good tool for applying the reading, when you’ve done it.” However, there are some who are opposed to the standard lecturing, and feel that it’s too “old school.” Some people find that straight-up lectures are boring and definitely make it harder to stay awake—especially for those who are ready to take a nap after lunchtime.
Luckily for most students involved in the Humanities, professors frequently employ some kind of classroom hybrid, where they either lecture for most of the class but ask frequent open-ended questions, or allot specific days for class/group discussions. This seems to work for both the quiet students who just like to take notes, as well as those who enjoy sitting in front of a crowd and playing teacher for the day.
In my opinion, this is the best teaching style, one where there is a balanced mixture between lectures and discussions. You get the best of both worlds—the opportunity to hear what your peers think about course material, and the instruction needed to pass the class. I truly believe this is the best way to get the most out of a small liberal arts college—a quality education in a classroom community.
Lizeth Castillo is a sophomore ECLS major. She can be reached at castillol@oxy.edu.
This article has been archived, for more requests please contact us via the support system.
