My Ideal Classroom Setting by Janelle

My Ideal Classroom Setting by Janelle - October 2014 Scholarship Essay

I was first introduced to a classroom environment at the age of five. As I walked into my kindergarten class, the nerves I felt disappeared and I became excited by the sight of bright colored walls, a fully stocked book shelf, and toys scattered around the room. This description remained my ideal classroom setting throughout the rest of my elementary education. In my early childhood I was less concerned with learning curriculum than I was with free time and interaction with my classmates. As I grew older I took more of an interest in the material I was being taught; it was then that I developed my present version of an ideal classroom setting.

As a college student, the size of my classes range from an overwhelming three hundred students to a more comfortable number such as twenty. I am now able to adapt to various classroom sizes, however the amount of peers in my class undeniably has a major impact on the way I learn. For larger lectures, my definition of an ideal classroom setting consists of plain walls and a large form of projection. When there is an excessive amount of bodies in one room it becomes more difficult for me to stay focused on my professors, so by limiting any more visual distractions I can keep my attention on the material. Also, the class chalkboard, whiteboard, or projector screen should be large enough to convey the material across the room. Students like myself should not be required to squint or ask someone “What does that say?” simply because it is too crowded to sit up front. On the other hand, for smaller discussion sections or lectures, my ideal classroom environment is one with a non-typical seating arrangement. Sitting in group circles or in between my peers gives me the opportunity to speak directly to the group and motivates me to participate.

Besides all these physical aspects, my complete ideal version of a classroom setting includes approachable and inclusive interaction between instructors and peers. An individual's hard work and dedication to studying does not always guarantee a passing grade or long-term comprehension of the material. In order for me to be successful, I need the support of those around me; therefore my ideal classroom setting also requires the professor's acknowledgment of his or her student's struggles and willingness to provide assistance.