Blog #6

One big thing I've noticed recently is how much more I enjoy classes when I'm not chasing some due date. As a a general rule, I enjoy the honors classes more because the purpose of the class feels like I am actually trying to learn something, just for the sake of learning something. I tend to like the subject matter in my major classes more but it often feels like in those classes the focus is more on getting a grade then actually learning. 

I also think that when classes are focused just on learning, I learn better. For example, whenever I think of past teachers and things they taught me, I normally remember some life lesson or story, not the actual course content. I wish our education system was structured differently so more classes focus on discussions and learning things, rather then learning a test. I understand that to some point, a class like accounting has to be accounting, but often with the core classes you just learn PowerPoint slides for a test, you don't really "learn" anything. 

Comments

  1. Ben WarrenApril 3, 2020 at 6:30 PM

    I too have struggled with the difference between striving for a grade and striving to learn. I do enjoy the process of learning, but more often than not, I find myself just completing assignments to make sure that I get the desired grade that I want. I am not focused on remembering the content but rather on the execution and success of the assignment. It is difficult to have internal motivation to desire to learn, but grades hold us accountable to doing the work. I am not sure of the perfect solution to the education system, but PowerPoints and memorization is not something I believe in.

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  2. KaitApril 13, 2020 at 12:10 PM

    I completely understand! My honors classes have been some of my favorite classes, and even though I've never taken a true test in these classes, I find I still remember the information. It can be tough to balance wanting a grade and wanting to learn. It will be interesting to see if/how online classes change this issue for students.

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