How big is too big?

Professors question detriment larger classes have in student learning

Large lecture classes can be found at most universities and help to save the school money and offer course access to more students, but whether the lecture course benefits the student, professor or school is up for debate.

"The [General Education] program serves the entire James Madison University. So there’s only two ways in which the university can assist that many students," said Dr. Todd Sabato, a professor of health sciences who teaches a Personal Wellness Health 100 course. "They can either have lots of really big classes or they can hire lots of faculty members to teach smaller classes. Of course we don’t have the money for the second option, so basically it comes down to economics."

However, Sabato said large classes don’t allow for an atmosphere for individualized learning and are a detriment to the student. "I can’t have discussions with 300 people, so it actually takes out the whole ‘personal’ aspect of what I’m trying to teach," Sabato said. "However, with a class of only 25 students you don’t have to eliminate that aspect."

Psychology professor Charles Huffman also teaches large lecture courses. Huffman admits that when he tries to have a discussion in his lecture courses of 300 students, about 90 to 95 percent of the students aren’t involved.

"I try to do demonstrations where everyone participates, but of course I can never hear every individual’s response," Huffman said. "However, the demonstrations at least allow for each individual to reflect on the questions I am asking. In large lectures, there’s always a limit to what you can do."

Huffman said the key to solving the problem of lecture courses may be more engaging and innovative ways of teaching, such as on-line courses. "On-line lectures allow for more ways of interaction. For example, students can send input to the professor by e-mail. It’s much easier to interact that way then in a class of 300 in 50 minutes."

Freshman Caitlin Eschenroeder said, "I think smaller classes create bonding experiences. You can make relationships with other students and also with the teacher.

"It’s hard to get motivated to go [to class] when you know the teacher doesn’t know your name and the lecture will be up later that day on Blackboard."

Freshman Lindsey Petersen is an advocate of large lecture courses. "In smaller classes when a teacher knows me on a first name basis I feel more pressure to do well," she said. "The teacher will know if I am working up to my potential or not and I don’t want to disappoint them."