The article,
“Actually Going to Class, for a Specific Course? How 20th-Century” points out
pros and cons to the traditional college course experience. Typically, students
are expected to show up to their seminar or lecture and listen to professors
discuss various points while students take notes and listen carefully. Then the students are to venture off on their
own and continue their education outside of the classroom. What really
happens is that students do not prepare for their class and do not intend
on paying attention in class, let alone show up for the class. A question has risen to discuss if a new
college system should come about to better fit the changing technological world
around us.
Personally,
technology has always been an integral part of education. This has been the primary mode of communication
between teaching staff and students. Grades
have been posted online as well as assignments.
That is my limit. I learn better when I am in a classroom setting with
an instructor in front of me. Sure,
technology is a great way to communicate ideas and information, but formal
education should be kept in the classroom. That being said, everyone learns
differently. In addition to being
auditory and visual learners, people may learn better with other people around them
with someone talking to them rather
than having to read everything.
Within the past
few years, online classes have been introduced to the world. Instead of showing up to class at specific
times, individuals can log in online and submit their work electronically. This is already a step towards the future. However, a standard college course allows for
human interaction. You can have a
discussion with your classmates in real-time.
You can ask question and get answers in seconds. Your professor can go off on tangents and
suddenly find yourself with loads of information you would never imagine
having.
On the other
hand, out-of-class education is found everywhere. A great example would be the
famous “TED Talks” where various experts discuss their fields in great length
and detail. Not only are these are great
sources to learn from, but they are also thought-provoking. Those talks themselves could be viewed as courses.
I am sure there are multiple websites out there with scholarly sources that
could be used for higher-level education classes.
Ultimately it is
a student’s preference on how they want to learn. If learning online is productive and works
well, then by all means they should learn that way. Likewise, if sitting in a class with others
and listening to a professor talk about their field and expertise, then let
them at it! I personally think education
is what people make of it. There
is plenty of knowledge in the world. The
challenge is finding the perfect blend between in-class and out-of-class
learning. So far, I have enjoyed my
education and have gone about it the right way by attending classes. So far, so
good.
