Change Is Good by Alexia

Change Is Good by Alexia - January 2015 Scholarship Essay

The computer screen is bleeding with red, failing grades scattered all across the page. The desk is cluttered with mountains of tests anxiously waiting to be checked. The whiteboard is smothered with notes that no one even seems to care for. Students impatiently fidget at their seats, counting down the seconds until the bell echoes throughout the school and they are released to their freedom while others lay unconsciously on their desks. Minutes later, the classroom is empty as the students dash out of the classroom as if the world was ending, leaving the teacher slumped over her desk. She glances at the stacks of papers sitting in front of her and practically cringes, for she knows it will not be pleasant grading them. “How,” she thinks to herself, “how can I get them to understand what I am teaching? How can I get them to actually try instead of sitting there looking like zombies?” Being a teacher is probably one of the most rewarding jobs in this world; however, it is also one of the hardest. Teachers are in charge of providing their students with preparation and knowledge not only about upcoming assignments and exams, but also their futures. If they fail to capture their students’ attention and make them comprehend the lessons being thrown at them, they fail to fulfill their goal as a teacher. I, as a current student, would have one simple piece of advice for teachers to make learning for their students easier: make it fun.

The reason most students dread waking up and going to school everyday is because it’s the same, old thing. They go to the same classes, see the same people, see the same teachers, and listen to the same, boring lectures. It is almost inevitable for students to not fall asleep and wander off during class. They’re tired of seeing the same things, especially when they don’t even understand what is going on, so they immediately lose interest after the first five minutes. If teachers were to switch up their style of teaching ever so often, they would be well on their way to hooking their students onto the lessons. Instead of standing in front of the class and lecturing the whole period, why not turn the lesson into a game? Adding a little competiveness and excitement to the atmosphere will bring the students back to life. Perhaps teachers could offer extra points on the next exam to the winning team. The promise of some type of reward will provide motivation for the students to actually try and understand what is being taught, thus making it easier for them to learn and understand.
To make learning more fun, teachers could also show entertaining videos and movies instead of just having students copy notes until their hands go numb. Even watching an educational video is more appealing to students than staring at a white board with notes scribbled across it that seem to be written in a different language. If there are no educational videos, teachers could look for actual, popular movies that relate with what is being taught. The students could possibly even bring snacks and drinks to share with the rest of their classmates while they watch the movie. This change of routine will surely make a big difference in the interest students take in class. They will have something to look forward to and will be excited for class as opposed to dragging themselves into the room like every other day and refusing to participate.

The computer screen which once was coated with red failure marks is now plastered with bright, green passing grades. Stacks of papers which were once carelessly thrown across the desk now lay perfectly organized with big check marks and A’s stamped on the center. Students which once seemed lifeless at their seats are now alert and happy. The bell rings, and every student says goodbye to their teacher who has a grin on her face from ear to ear as they calmly shuffle out of the classroom. The teacher returns to her desk and begins to prepare herself for the next class. As she files through papers, she cannot help but feel proud of herself. All of her students were now passing with flying colors and actually enjoyed coming to her class, all because she decided to make her lessons fun.