My dream classroom by Jordon

My dream classroom by Jordon - July 2020 Scholarship Essay

All eyes glued to the board, we observe the strokes of the professor’s marker as it darts across the blank surface. “Class, did I make any errors here?” he asks. I think to myself, “Why is he asking that; He is the teac- Oh! Plus C!” My hand shoots up and I shout, “Professor, you forgot the plus C!” My insight answered my confusion of why the professor asked such a seemingly silly question. Questioning students, prompting them to revise the process that the professor demonstrates, is among the most effective ways to teach. When I imagine a dream classroom setting, I picture a diverse group of intelligent, curious students who contribute towards a stream of knowledge created through active questioning and discussion between peers and the professor. This setting is one where I thrive.

As I alluded to previously, Socratic questioning is a key tool in effective teaching. This method prompts hidden knowledge to crawl into a space where it can be easily recalled. In a discussion-based setting, Socratic questioning is beautifully deployed in an inviting manner. I have the opportunity to answer all things that I have confidence in, however, I can take the backseat for a couple of questions if it is best to learn from my peers. Even if I fail to answer a question, the gears of my mind turn enough to open the gates for the entrance of new information. In every situation, I have the opportunity to build my confidence and reinforce learned concepts.

In the company of other curious, intelligent, like-minded individuals, I feel at home in the classroom. A group like this motivates me and sets the pace for my achievement in a course. I love how I can intertwine my thoughts and ideas with my peers in order to develop a useful understanding of a subject. For example, in my Physics course, I could make analogies between electricity and mechanics, while my classmate can make analogies between rotational motion and kinematics. This aspect paints a clearer or simpler picture of a challenging, yet intriguing subject. Especially when the professor comes by and corrects our analogies and expands upon them. An intelligent and passionate professor can truly drop the mental curtains to display a whole new world of understanding.

My dream classroom consists of question-based discussion between a group of remarkable, like-minded individuals. This environment allows me to thrive and build my confidence. Socratic questioning prompts my mental gears to move. The discussion approach creates a risk-free setting to reinforce what I know, or to sit back and learn from my peers. Lastly, I enjoy being around bright students who will push me to become greater and will be an addition to my educational experience.