Is Class Sizes a Problem?
In my Education 3200 class we are doing a transformative leadership project and the subject that my group and I chose to tackle was the problems with class sizes here at the University. Class sizes to me are very important because depending on how big or small or class is can really have an effect on how well you do in the class. Most of the general education courses here at ECU are the classes with too many students. For example, my chemistry class has like 200 people in there so there was hardly any time for me to get one on one help with my professor because there was so many of us. Having bigger classes can effect the way students hear what the teacher is saying, rather or not they can actually see notes on the board, most students wont even show knowing the teacher doesn't take attendance, and can just cause students to fall behind all together. Hiring more teachers or providing more class times are ways that could help shrink class sizes.
- Jeanee Rouse's blog
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size
I think that it is a problem all over the US. I can't stand the NCLB Act and how stupid it is that we have to make sure that every single student in our over sized class has to pass a standardized test. I know that a lot of classes are way to packed and it takes the student to make the effort to be on a name basis with the teacher, which I really think is important. It is hard for me to focus at college when I have 150 people in my class because I get so distracted, and I'm not going to lie, I stare a lot and watch other people when I'm supposed to be paying attention to what is going on in the classroom and to the teacher.
Class size
I think class size is a problem all over. Not only here at ECU but in most schools over the United Sates. It sounds like a good idea to get a lot of students in one classroom at one time so the teacher has less classes to teach and don't have to repeate themselves. The more students they reach the less classes they have to create. Because there are a lot of classes at ECU that undergads have to take there are a lot of general education classes that have a lot of students. Students need to get their requirements done and this may cause big classes. I cant come up with any good solution for this problem. But it is a problem to be aware of. It's hard to understand how classes got that big when we know students benefit from small class size because of more one on one experience with the teacher. And if you have a class of 200 people how will you ever get one on one time, besides going out of your way to schedule and appointment?
class size
I agree and i feel that class size is a huge issue at ECU. Students are loosing focus and attention when they are big classrooms and I feel that that needs to change. In elementary Schools, this is the main reason kids are falling through the cracks, and we need to change it in the beginning so they Have a chance to succeed in school.
Class Size
I absolutely agree! I hate how ECU's classes seem so packed. I have been in many classes where I cant even see the board and sometimes the class is so big that I will have my hand up for a while and the teacher won't even see me so I can't ask my question. I feel that if classes were smaller more could be learned. There are too many distractions when classes are large.
Classes are too big!!
I think this is a very big problem at ECU. I feel as though in the classes that I get more personal attention, my grades get a lot better. The one-on-one help a smaller student to teacher ratio can allow is necessary for a student to succeed to their best ability.
(class) Size Matters
Since I have been at ECU I have been in all sized classes. I have been in classes that had as many as 200 students to classes that had 6 students. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed both.
I feel that many times class size depends on the person and the subject matter. For instance, I know that when I registered for my math class I was looking for a section with not many people because I know that I lack in mathmatic skill and that one-on-one help from the teacher is crucial to my success in the class. However, when I was taking theatre 1000, I didn't really care how many students were in the class. Besides, most classes that are "overcrowded" are the general education classes, which usually end up being a class that seems to be sponsored by Power Point.
I think that as long as the student is able to determine what he or she is comfortable with then large classes should still exist. Remember that with the hiring of a bunch of new teachers would probably effect our tution bills!
-S
Ratios
I have mixed feelings on this blog. I think yes, some class sizes are too big, especially our general education classes like math, science and all the englishes. However, when you apply to certain schools, one thing that makes you lean towards one school over another is teacher to class ratio. Some big name schools have a low teacher to student ratio. It just depends on what school you to and how much money they have.
Class Sizes
I agree with you on this subject. I personally love having smaller classes just because I can have more one on one time with my prof. and I feel that I learn more. For example, I have one lecture class that has about 150 people in it and I feel that I just dont learn as welll as I could because I get so distracted from people moving around and fiddling with papers it is also so hard to hear the teacher what the teacher is talking about.
How much is too much?
Totally agree on the situation. It all starts at the elementary level as Alicia Elmore has stated. I think its ridiculous that we have that many students in the classroom, and that we are expected to have every single one of them pass the standard tests when we can't give everyone one on one instruction especially the kids that need it. Classroom size affects a lot in the education system, and the reason why there are so many kids that are in each class is because we don't have enough teachers in the education system.
~*Ashley*~
Class Sizes
I have to say that I do agree with what you are saying. Not only is this true for us here at the univeristy level, but this is a problem in the public school system. I think that the ideal class size in a school setting is no more than 20-22 students. Now I know that as a future teacher this will probably never happen. Today the average class sizes are over 30 students. I don't think that students can recieve adequate one-on-one time with the teacher if she/he has that many students to tend to.
Alicia Elmore