"Danger" in the Classroom: How My Teachers Can Help Me Learn by Kendall

"Danger" in the Classroom: How My Teachers Can Help Me Learn by Kendall - January 2015 Scholarship Essay

Why do we have to go to school to be considered educated? I have learned many things from books and self-study. I taught myself how to stain concrete floors and do other home improvement projects, how to sing and write music, and even some quantum physics theories. All of this I learned by picking up a book, doing research online, and watching videos from the comfort of my own home. So what makes attending a class so different? Why can’t we just study on our own and then obtain diplomas by taking competency exams?

Class is so much more than the location in which it takes place or the teacher who grades your assignments. It is an environment that fosters learning. If you read a book, you may learn facts and procedures or even get suggestions and tips from the author. However, what you lack is the opportunity for guided practice, application, and feedback from a knowledgeable mentor or even from your own peers. You miss out on the shared experience between other students, the ability to ask questions and learn from the questions of others, and the tools required for proper exploration of topics and theories. Many teachers are very familiar with these benefits of classroom study, playing a central role in the learning process, but I hope they realize that the classroom can also be a place of vulnerability. If I could offer one piece of advice that will help me learn, it would be to provide me with a safe environment where I can learn, make mistakes, and grow.

What is a safe environment? In counseling, it refers to an emotionally safe place where one can share his or her thoughts without the fear of being judged. In the classroom, this concept can take on different forms. For example, I work better when I know that my ideas will not be criticized. If I answer a question incorrectly, help me figure out how this mistake happened instead of assuming that I did not prepare for class or that I am not trying hard enough. Allow time in class for me to participate by doing example problems or sharing my work. In these ways, you will be providing for me a safe environment in the classroom by allowing me the opportunity to explore and make mistakes without the fear of judgment or feelings of inadequacy. Make me feel confident in the trial and error process of learning.

As a teacher, you can also offer a safe environment outside of the classroom in terms of homework. Provide clear expectations for each assignment so that I know I am completing the assignment in accordance with your standards. There are many mixed messages in homework assignments that can lead to unnecessary mistakes. I am happy to follow the your guidelines as long as I know what they are ahead of time. There is something very disappointing about turning in a great essay and losing points for something that could have been avoided with clearer instructions. For example, a common essay assignment asks several lengthy questions but calls for a response in 200 words or less, meaning I really have to be concise to fit my answer into the limit. However, some teachers prefer that I answer the question fully, even if I use 300 words, as long as I am still being concise. This can be confusing due to the conflict of the teacher’s expectations and the written instructions. Therefore, it is better for me if you are clear up front about what you expect from such assignments.

All of the above examples will facilitate my teachers’ ability to create a safe environment that will not only help me learn but also make me enjoy the process of learning. Of course, I understand that it is not all on the teacher’s shoulders to create a safe environment. I must also take responsibility for my learning experience. Therefore, I will promise my teachers that I will seek clarity where I need it, be an active and eager participant in class, and offer to them the same treatment that I request as a student. Together, we can raise my scholastic potential, as well as that of other students, and enjoy a great shared experience.