If you are looking for a college, one of the most important considerations that is commonly overlooked is the student-to-faculty ratio. When attending college, it's important to ensure that you will be given a high level of attention, something that can only be achieved with a low student-to-faculty ratio. The lower the ratio, the more personal attention you receive, which means you get more value out of your education.
Large classes vs. small classes
When attending a large university, students are often placed in a class with hundreds of fellow students. This is one of the important items students fail to consider when researching potential universities. They find that the disadvantages of large class sizes far outweigh the advantages.
Quality vs. Quantity
Large classes often lack the quality and quantity of interaction with professors. In larger classes, professors are typically unavailable to students. There is often no time after class for a quick question and office times are difficult to obtain when competing with so many students. Many professors will leave their office hours to be run by their teaching assistants. With a full course load it is even hard for the student to find the time to schedule an appointment.
There is also less discussion in larger classes. With smaller classes, students can become engaged in the topic. Classes become discussion oriented rather than lecture oriented. This may be better suited to your learning style. So, if sitting in a class with one hundred other students in a straight lecture type of teaching does not appeal to you, than be sure to check into the student to faculty ratio of the university you are considering.
Grading considerations
In large classes, you are less likely to be graded on discussion and papers. There is simply not enough time for a professor to read and grade papers for hundreds of students. Therefore, your grade is typically based on multiple choice exams with perhaps a few short essay questions. This leads to a lot of regurgitation learning, which may not be beneficial to the student retaining the information for a long period of time.
While both large and small class sizes have their advantages and disadvantages, what will work best for you will depend greatly on your learning style. It is important to give this close consideration when researching colleges. If you feel that you would learn more from interacting with your instructor, than universities with small class sizes will probably be the best choice for you.
Large classes vs. small classes
When attending a large university, students are often placed in a class with hundreds of fellow students. This is one of the important items students fail to consider when researching potential universities. They find that the disadvantages of large class sizes far outweigh the advantages.
Quality vs. Quantity
Large classes often lack the quality and quantity of interaction with professors. In larger classes, professors are typically unavailable to students. There is often no time after class for a quick question and office times are difficult to obtain when competing with so many students. Many professors will leave their office hours to be run by their teaching assistants. With a full course load it is even hard for the student to find the time to schedule an appointment.
There is also less discussion in larger classes. With smaller classes, students can become engaged in the topic. Classes become discussion oriented rather than lecture oriented. This may be better suited to your learning style. So, if sitting in a class with one hundred other students in a straight lecture type of teaching does not appeal to you, than be sure to check into the student to faculty ratio of the university you are considering.
Grading considerations
In large classes, you are less likely to be graded on discussion and papers. There is simply not enough time for a professor to read and grade papers for hundreds of students. Therefore, your grade is typically based on multiple choice exams with perhaps a few short essay questions. This leads to a lot of regurgitation learning, which may not be beneficial to the student retaining the information for a long period of time.
While both large and small class sizes have their advantages and disadvantages, what will work best for you will depend greatly on your learning style. It is important to give this close consideration when researching colleges. If you feel that you would learn more from interacting with your instructor, than universities with small class sizes will probably be the best choice for you.
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