In Classroom Learning is better than Learning Alone

In Classroom Learning is better than Learning Alone Introduction Learning is arguably the most important activities that human beings engage in. It is through learning that we are able to acquire new knowledge and skills. It can therefore be said that learning is integral for the development of the society. Due to the importance of learning, many societies have come up with formal institutes where learning takes place.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on In Classroom Learning is better than Learning Alone specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These institutes include schools where students attend and gain information on a wide variety of subjects. However, learning can also take place when an individual looks for new material and engages in learning alone. There is disagreement over whether learning alone or learning in a classroom is most beneficial. This paper will argue that learning in a classroom is superior to learning alone and it should therefore be the primary mode of learning employed by our society. A Case for Classroom Learning Students are able to benefit from each other when they learn in a classroom setting. Paduraru notes that in the traditional classroom environment, students are able to interact with the teacher and their classmates (par. 2). This interaction makes it possible for the student to benefit from cooperative activities such as group work and class discussions. Students can learn from each other and benefit from discussing difficult concepts with each other. In addition to this, students are more motivated to learn when other individuals who are also engage in the same learning surround them. Paduraru declares that the learning atmosphere created in the classroom setting leads to higher levels of focus and motivation for the student (par. 3). All students are able to demonstrate better learning outcomes because of the inter-student interaction promoted by classroom learning. Contact with the teacher in classroom learning lead s to better learning outcomes for the student. Teachers are a very important part of the learning process since they act as informative guides. With their skills, they are able to direct the student in their learning efforts. The face-to-face interaction between student and teacher increases the grasp of the student. Paduraru declares, Some students need constant reassurance that what the do is correct and that they are going in the right direction (par. 2). The teacher is able to offer this reassurance and provide the feedback that the student needs to have confidence in his learning. Interaction with the teacher also increases the concentration level of the individual. Students are likely to pay more attention to learning when they are instructed through face to face interaction. When this happens, their learning experienced is not only better but also faster than in alone learning. Classroom learning leads to greater commitment to the learning efforts. A person is therefore able to gain in-depth knowledge on the subjects being studied.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Learning requires a significant amount of time to be dedicated to the activity. Classroom learning is well structured and the teacher has a program of what the students should learn. Paduraru elaborates that traditional classrooms provide students with a â€Å"fixed schedule and specific periods dedicated exclusively to learning† (par. 5). In alone learning, a person engages in learning in an erratic manner. In most cases, only a small amount of time is dedicated to learning leading to poor results. The structured nature of classroom learning also ensures that no relevant subject matter is neglected. The student is required to read on different topics at specific times. The student is therefore forced to read on all the scheduled topics even if he/she is not fond of them. This ha s the merit of enabling the student to gain knowledge even in subjects that do not interest him/her. The classroom environment increases the interest of students in the learning activity. Interest is very important in the continued participation of a person in any task. When learning, a person is likely to become disinterested in this activity. When this happens, he/she will not gain the benefits attributed to learning. When learning alone, it is hard for most students to remain interested in the activity. In classroom learning, the teacher can use various strategies to increase interest. Weimer suggests, a good question can pique their interest, make them wonder why, get them to think, and motivate them to make connections with the content (par. 3). The individual is also prompted to commit to memory what has been learned. This is achieved when the teacher takes steps to promote recalling. Weimer suggests that the classroom setting promotes preparation in the student especially if the teacher quizzes the students on previous lessons (par. 6). When this occurs, students are prompted to come to class well versed with the information of the previous classroom session. Arguments in Support of Learning Alone A great advantage of learning alone is that it allows a person who does not have access to formal education institutes such as a school to learn. A person must be able to attend a school in order to learn in a classroom. While most people are able to access these facilities, some might lack the means to do so. This leads to many people being prevented from learning and benefiting from attaining an education. Malcolm X shows that with personal learning, a person is able to open up a new world and attain the benefits of learning (2). This is true since access to learning facilities is not assured for everyone. However, a person engaging in alone learning is unable to achieve high levels of education. The lack of structure in alone learning makes it impossible f or the individual to gain great expertise in a particular topic.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on In Classroom Learning is better than Learning Alone specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Alone learning makes it possible for a person to overcome any social restrictions to his learning. In some cases, society might prevent certain people from learning. This was the case for Sherman who states that we were Indian children who were expected to be stupid† (13). In such an environment, the classroom learning is downgraded and a person cannot attain any meaningful education. Through alone learning, the individual is able to attain a higher level of learning by reading books with relevant information. It is true that in a discriminatory society, a section of the population might be denied of their right to learn. When such a thing occurs, alone learning might provide greater knowledge that classroom learning. However, eve n in such a situation, classroom learning is necessary for the individual to gain perspective of his learning progress. The individual is able to tell of his progress by comparing his abilities with that of the other students. Sherman reveals that he was able to read Grapes of Wrath in kindergarten when other children are struggling through Dick and Jane' (13). Without the classroom learning, he would not have been motivated to keep reading and achieve success in his life. A person is able to acquire more expansive and unbiased information through personal learning. As it is, there is a vast amount of information that a person can learn independently. In the classroom setting, the students learning is confined to the topics that the teacher chooses. In most cases, information is interpreted in the way that the school administration wants. There is therefore a lot of bias when presenting some information. This is not the case when learning alone since a person can read from various s ources. Malcolm X reveals his horror when he learnt about the brutality of slavery through his own reading (4). He had not been able to receive information about the horrors of slavery in his classroom learning years. It is true that classroom learning is prone to bias by the teacher or the school administration. However, learning alone is also prone to individual bias. An individual is likely to read more on the topics that interest him and favor authors who express beliefs similar to his own. Malcolm X admits that while reading philosophy, the Oriental philosophers were the ones I came to prefer (6). This demonstrates that bias is present in both along learning and classroom learning. Conclusion This paper set out to argue that classroom learning is better than alone learning. To reinforce this claim, the paper has highlighted the many advantages accrued from classroom learning. They include greater motivation and interest in learning, and acquisition of in-depth information.Adver tising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The paper has also highlighted some of the advantages of alone learning and proceeded to show their weaknesses. The best learning method is one that gives the best results by enhancing the learning outcomes of the individual students. From the arguments provided in this paper, it is clear that classroom learning is the superior form of learning. It should therefore be promoted and made use of by learners all over the world. Malcolm X. Learning to read, The Autobiography of Malcolm X MALCOLM X. NY: Grove Press, 1965. Print. Paduraru, Carmen. The Advantages of Traditional Classroom Learning. Jan. 2006. Web. https://classroom.synonym.com/advantages-traditional-classroom-learning-7964781.html. Sherman, Alexie. â€Å"The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me.† Los Angeles Times 19 April 1998. Print. Weimer, Maryellen. 10 Benefits of Getting Students to Participate in Classroom Discussions. 15. Feb. 2011. Web. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/10-be nefits-of-getting-students-to-participate-in-classroom-discussions/.