Classroom

I believe that empathy should be part of the classroom. Empathy can help in many ways because then the instructor and student may be able to empathize with their lives. Student and instructor won’t feel like they’re getting a hard time. With empathy an instructor could also understand where their student is coming from if they haven’t completed an assignment or needs a rescheduling for a quiz or test. People can be cut some slack in their shortcomings. Awareness is another quality that should be part of the classroom because if all the people are aware of what’s going on and everything that’s going on then maybe things can move more smoothly and the dynamics of instructor and students work better. Students know what’s being taught and are paying attention while the instructor is aware of their students current mentality. I had an instructor before who would teach by sight and ear. If we weren’t all having a good day and just needed a break, he would give us a free period. He was still able to teach all the material he had to and our whole class passed his class with good grades. We, as students, also stayed aware of whether or not he was having a bad day. We were an overall good class and gave the respect deserved. Another that should be part of the classroom is choice. We should be able to choose whether or not to participate in the classroom. A study was shown that free choice was given to students and they all at first didn’t pay any attention in the classroom but eventually they calmed down willing to learn. I’m not saying that should happen but students should not get in trouble in class for not doing what is expected but just be on good behaviour. Instructors should also be able to manage their class however they see fit as long as it respects the students and empathizes with them. Compassion along with everything else should be part of the classroom because creating an appropriate relationship with your students can improve their performance in the classroom. What shouldn’t be part of the classroom is an authoritarian style of teaching. Classrooms with that style of teaching feel unfair and students develop an attitude of detestment of being in that classroom. It then leads to a drop in attendance of class whether it be high school or college. I know students will think about not going to class because they don’t enjoy being in the class because they feel their instructor is being disrespectful or mean. The learning environment ends us feeling like a hostile environment. Their motivation for success can falter because they feel like they’re being broken down by the instructor. Ultimately students do fail under a instructor like that. What should be part of the classroom also is getting the students involved with each other. They should be able to share their answers, their work, and communicate with each other. I love it when an instructor has their students talk to one another because this leads to possible friendships or bonds. It also stimulates the student mind as they share what they have and hear what others have to say. They learn something new and possibly even teach someone something they didn’t already know. I also do believe that a classroom should feel comfortable so students should be allowed to eat and drink as long as it’s in a clean manner and they focus on the work in front of them. The best classes I’ve had were the classes I could consume in. Sometimes we don’t have time to eat and we can’t wait until the next opportunity for food. Food is always healthy. You can’t work on an empty stomach, at least I know I can’t. Another that shouldn’t be part of the classroom is favorites. It’s one thing to be cut some slack and a whole other thing to just be favored and everything going your way.You could be the worst student but you get an A. That makes no sense and I’ve even seen it happen. It’s not fair to all those who are actually trying to pass the class.