I was pretty sure I had graduated from high school almost two years ago, but I think I might have been dreaming. I thought I was currently going to college, but I must have been wrong about that, too. Either I am indeed back in high school or some of Bakersfield College ‘s professors seem to think that they are teaching high school. From showing videos instead of teaching the information themselves to requiring notebook checks and assigning busywork homework, I would assume that a few of our professors are misinformed about where they are teaching.
Being in college, I expect a semi-decent education, and I expect teachers to put forth an effort in their teaching. I am fully aware that this is a community college and not Harvard, but we should still be getting well thought-out lesson plans from every professor. Specifically, what irritates me is being shown a 30-minute low-quality video from the 1980s to tell me what the teacher could have said in 30 seconds. I appreciate the potential naptime a video can bring, but, in the end, I’m paying to learn and to be taught. I’m not here to watch videos. However, I will thank the teacher who most recently showed one of my classes a video because I was able to finish some homework from another class two days before it was due.
I am all for videos being shown in class to add some spice to the class, but they should be used as class enhancers and not replacements. A video that brings a confusing Shakespeare play to life or one that illustrates a complicated brain function can really help students to better understand the material. But teachers relying on a video to do their job for them is just going to make what is probably already a boring class even more boring. It’s different in high school, where a video, enhancing or replacing, can perk up inattentive students. But we’re in college. We can be expected to pay full attention without a video.
Since most of us are here on our own accord, unlike in high school, it can be assumed that we more or less want to be here and that, since we are paying to attend, we can be trusted to work hard and study on our own. But again, some teachers seem to have forgotten this by assigning mindless homework and enforcing notebook checks.
As much as I hate homework, I’m not saying teachers should do away with it all. Busywork in high school is to be expected. It gives easy points to students who might not do well on tests. These easy points can play a big factor in whether or not a student passes a class or graduates. Notebook checks show that a student is paying attention and taking notes, and that makes sense in high school.
In college, we’re supposed to be more mature. If we are not already, we are becoming adults and learning to take responsibility for our own grades. Note taking should be optional, not a requirement. It is up to the student to take notes, and when he or she doesn’t, unless he or she is some wild exception, the proof will be in the tests. The “F” in the class and the waste of money will be the student’s own fault.
I know many people see community college as high school part two. Maybe this wouldn’t be the case if so many teachers wouldn’t treat us like high school students. Many of us are fresh out of high school and plan to transfer to a four-year university, and the shock from the transition will be enormous if these teachers continue to coddle us.