There are two ways to pass a class. One way is to memorize the information and feel comfortable regurgitating it on paper. The second way is to fully immerse yourself in the course, fall in love with the material, and carry it with you for your entire life.
Of course, this is not a decision that students can simply make on their own. In fact, it is almost nearly out of their control to decide how they will pass a class. I believe an experience in a classroom plays a pivotal role in determining how a student feels about that subject. A teacher’s passion is truly contagious and can have a huge influence on the level of students’ engagement.
My best memories in class have been with teachers that welcomed stepping outside the textbook to have a meaningful discussion. One of my teachers from senior year in high school, Mrs. C, always stressed the importance of making learning fun. In her AP Government class, we could have spent each day solely memorizing vocabulary words and governmental processes. Instead, we had stimulating debates, interesting conversations and shared many laughs along the way. She catered to every learning style. It was clear that Mrs. C truly cared about all of her students.
The problem is that, today, students face too much pressure to score high results on examinations. With high scores comes acceptances to the top colleges, universities, and graduate schools…but then what? Will we look back and remember enjoying the learning experience too? Or will we solely remember spending hours with our heads in a textbook looking forward to the time the class will be behind us?
In the article “Deeper Learning: Moving Students Beyond Memorization”, Linda Darling-Hammond from Stanford University commented on deeper learning that includes using both sides of the brain: “It’s is the only way to get students ready for success in the modern world.” Darling-Hammond makes an important point about succeeding in the modern world. Today, innovation and creativity (right side characteristics), are extremely valuable; yet, schools place emphasis on logic and critical thinking (left side characteristics). Although it is easier for teachers to test students through tasks involving the left side of the brain, this all goes back to the point that learning in order to be tested takes away from what the true purpose of education should be.
I started this article by mentioning two ways to pass a class. In the second way I mentioned, you’ll do more than simply pass. That should be the goal. I hope that every student has a teacher that inspires them to become immersed and fall in love with knowledge. I hope they feel comfortable expressing themselves and embracing their strengths, whether they are more dominantly left-brained or right-brained. When the teacher emphasizes learning to love the material versus strictly memorizing it for an exam, students are able to pass the course with more than a fleeting understand of the material. They will come out of the class feeling like a better person, prepared to make a difference in the world. They will look back and truly remember enjoying the learning experience.
