Spring Break
Student-teacher ratios on the rise at Shorter
Danielle Nieznanski
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Opinions and Editorials
Classrooms seem to have become more crowded. Not only are we running out of space to put excessive amounts of students able to register for the classes, but also we are hindering student-teacher relationships that Shorter prides itself on.
When I enter my 9:30 a.m. Interpersonal Communication class, I face a room full of approximately 30 students, yet there are barely 32 desks in the room.
There is a bit of a problem.
How can students focus on what the professor is teaching when all they can think about is, “I wish I could see the teacher or at least see the notes on the board.”
It has happened to the best of us. Sometimes students are just a few minutes late and are forced to sit in the back of the room too far away to pay proper attention. Even more some are forced to sit with the students that don’t even care about what the professor is saying.
According to the Shorter’s 2007 Factbook, over 36 percent of classes hold more than 20 students. This environment makes for tight class space and greater distractions, like tardy students entering and ringing cellphones.
Often times students in larger classes will to text message and cause a greater distraction than students in smaller classes where the professor can see each student.
The distractions in larger classes are not only limited to the learing process in the classroom, but it also extends to the professor-student relationship that is usually promoted in classes with small numbers.
In classes with a low student-to-teacher ratio, students are able to ask more questions and receive more attention.
In smaller classes, students are more willing to do their homework because the likelihood that they will be called on is greater.
Basically, the Shorter administration should create more space for classes or lower the amount of students allowed in certain classes.
When I enter my 9:30 a.m. Interpersonal Communication class, I face a room full of approximately 30 students, yet there are barely 32 desks in the room.
There is a bit of a problem.
How can students focus on what the professor is teaching when all they can think about is, “I wish I could see the teacher or at least see the notes on the board.”
It has happened to the best of us. Sometimes students are just a few minutes late and are forced to sit in the back of the room too far away to pay proper attention. Even more some are forced to sit with the students that don’t even care about what the professor is saying.
According to the Shorter’s 2007 Factbook, over 36 percent of classes hold more than 20 students. This environment makes for tight class space and greater distractions, like tardy students entering and ringing cellphones.
Often times students in larger classes will to text message and cause a greater distraction than students in smaller classes where the professor can see each student.
The distractions in larger classes are not only limited to the learing process in the classroom, but it also extends to the professor-student relationship that is usually promoted in classes with small numbers.
In classes with a low student-to-teacher ratio, students are able to ask more questions and receive more attention.
In smaller classes, students are more willing to do their homework because the likelihood that they will be called on is greater.
Basically, the Shorter administration should create more space for classes or lower the amount of students allowed in certain classes.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
keep kids safe
posted 8/27/10 @ 7:25 AM EST
We have exactly the same problem over here in the U.K with class sizes, In school, college and university.
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