14 - Taylor L. - Smaller is Better

Word Count: 280

  When I was younger, I distinctly remember my teachers expressing irritation at having big classes. Long, exasperated sighs and groans were a guarantee from every teacher when they received class rosters of over 30 students. I didn’t understand why having large classes could be a bad thing. 

  In elementary and middle school, subjects were easy to learn and comprehend for me. I rarely needed any help from teachers. High school material would differ greatly in this aspect. Raising my hand in class and requiring more in depth explanations became a  normal occurrence. It started to become more evident just how much class sizes could impact my learning.

  Large classes can inhibit a student's ability to receive extra guidance or help. Not only does a surplus of students create a louder and noisy learning environment, it can take away from a teacher's focus. By having a large class size, it is less likely that students will receive one on one help. Hands raised with questions may be overlooked or gone unnoticed. 

  Having smaller classes with about twenty to twenty five students is beneficial to everyone including the teacher and students. It’s easier to manage a smaller class. It’s also easier to ensure every student fully comprehends a subject as well as reach out to those who are struggling. Smaller classes also create a more comfortable, cozier learning environment for students. Large, boisterous classrooms can be overwhelming and distracting for a majority of students. 

  While I never realized why large classes posed such an issue in my younger school years, it is apparent now how greatly it can impact a students ability to learn. I definitely prefer smaller classes for these reasons.