Factors in Student Learning

1.  What do you think are the major factors that assist students with learning? 

The first factor I would like to mention is the parents’ support in their child’s studies. It has been a major factor to me to carry on as far as possible and to understand that the most important is to do my best and that I get the results of my personal implication. When I realized this, it made me more responsible of myself as regards how far I wanted to go in my studies and I understood that where there is a will, there is a way. So as long as I want to carry, motivation pushes me on.

The second factor is the teachers’ support and understanding. I really appreciate when my professors take us as we are, without contempt as regards our knowledge. They are those who guide us in the process of learning, and I find it extremely helpful when they go further than the basic relationship teacher/ student, which means that a barrier separates both and that only the former has knowledge. When they show that they care for us, take the time to have a chat and know more about the homework we have to do for other subjects, when a bond of complicity is gradually built between us, it all makes us more comfortable with them. It’s really important to know that we can rely on them at any time.

Finally, I would like to mention that complicity among the students themselves is a major asset as well. Relying on others does help in the process of learning as well as exchanges of ideas. Of course, we cannot always get along with everyone, but pair work or group work prove effective to me to get to know one another and make friends. I would say that the friends’ support is important when we feel discouraged or like in a dead-end. 

2.  What do you think are the major barriers that get in the way of student learning? 

First of all, the lack or absence of the teachers' support in the process of learning is an important drawback which can be discouraging. In higher education, the parents' support is still essential but as we specialize in a certain field, our professors are the best persons we can rely on to improve ourselves and keep going further. As a result, a contemptuous attitude towards their students and unreliability in case of problems are major barriers in the way of learning.

Furthermore, competition among the students result in pression and takes the student away from the taste of the studied subject.

Last, not a good acquaintance of our peers is another barrier and can make us feel lonely when we need any help or comfort.

3.  What do you think an effective classroom looks like? What makes a classroom experience worthwhile and valuable?

An effective classroom is first based on trust and complicity between the professor and the students, when both know that they can rely on and learn from the other because knowledge is endless. Moreover, humour is to me an important factor to learn in a relaxed atmosphere. I think that a class based on oral exchanges and debates is much more effective that most French classes during which the teacher speaks and the students write. Comparing viewpoints and involving everyone (pair works are thus effective) is very enriching and make a classroom experience worthwhile. Last, but not least, I would like to add that mutual and personal evaluations make classes more valuable, for instance after an oral presentation, in order to understand what was good and what needs to be improved.