In this entry, I will talk about three basics parts of an academic experience: participation, grading, and attendance. How does taking part in class help students learn? What about the grading system? I believe that each of these parts-participation, grading, and attendance-affect how students develop critical thinking skills.Β
PARTICIPATIONΒ
In my experience in Spanish classrooms, the approach tends to be more teacher-centered, with the teacher supplying most of the information to the students. In contrast, based on what I have seen in American classrooms, the approach tends to be more student-centered, with students actively taking part in the learning process and the teacher acting more as a facilitator.Β
Having experienced both ways of receiving classes, I notice that I learn more if the teacher makes me think for myself. I understand that this may seem more complicated for the teacher because getting the student to find or develop an idea is not always easy.Β Β
The big difference between the two ways of receiving class is the class protagonist. In a teacher-centered environment, the teacher gives the information, and it is the students who must internalize it. In the student-centered environment where the student is invited to reason about the subject, my critical thinking is developed earlier because I have been asked to use different ways to figure out how to reach that solution. This reasoning helps students like me to develop problem-solving skills, informed decision making and critical analysis.Β Β
Some of the other student-centered strategies can be questions that lead to solutions and thinking from different perspectives, or controversial debates or research projects. Also, creativity plays an important role here since it develops thinking outside the box.Β
As a student, I am more engaged when I am encouraged to take part and think for myself. It makes the class livelier, and I get to see people’s different perspectives as they participate. In my classes in Spain, I also raised my hand to ask for a turn to speak but it is true that it is more focused on asking questions and not on supplying information or opinions. For example, in a commercial law class, students raise their hands when they do not understand a concept, but no student raises his or her hand to talk about any news related to that subject. The student is not asked to provide information related to the subject. It is only expected that if there is a hand raised it is because of a doubt about what the teacher is saying.Β
Participation in class seems to me to be essential because it aims to develop studentsβ critical thinking with respect to the topic. Questions to air the thinking makes students see the subject matter in depth and to better develop our ability to ask ourselves why and how. By listening and responding to the ideas of their classmates, students can learn to analyze information critically and form solid arguments.Β Β Β
GRADING SYSTEMΒ
I could also see the significant difference in the exams and the grading system. In my classes in the USA not everything is focused on a single exam; here participation and daily work counts a lot. Consistency and effort are rewarded. Critical thinking is looked for and doing well is not just about memorizing information and writing it in an exam. Everything is much more practical. In my experience, in the United States it is common for professors to assign work and projects to students that require independent research. Students must be able to find and evaluate relevant information and present their findings clearly and persuasively.Β Β
A grading system where homework is just as important as the final exam makes students work harder day to day rather than just studying for an exam the week before. By doing homework and other projects instead of only just taking a final, i learn the material better and am more likely to remember it.Β I like this in part because I see that my effort is compensated for and valued. In addition, I see that my grades are not just an exam but the desire and commitment that I have put in throughout the course.Β Β
In addition, in this type of system, it seems that the teachers usually take into account the attendance in class. I believe that everyone who goes to class should be rewarded because they have already done something else that those at home have not wanted to do. Therefore, I think it is a good practiceΒ for attendance to count in the overall grade.Β Β Β
ATTENDANCEΒ
Attending class is fundamental to effective learning, in my opinion. In the classroom, students can interact with their teachers and peers, ask questions, participate in discussions, and learn in a more active, hands-on way. In addition, professors can provide information and clarify doubts in real time, which can be more effective than self-study.Β Β
The attendance policy is necessary because it creates discipline in students and a commitment to a schedule and routine. The way I see it, students are not at the university not to go to class, but to take advantage of every opportunity it offers us and to be able to get the best out of ourselves.Β Β
From my perspective, the American system is more demanding in terms of mandating or strongly encouraging attendance. In Spain in the public universities, it is not mandatory to attend. In the end, that means that fewer students go to class, based on my observations. Without attending class regularly, I think students learn neither discipline nor routine.Β
From my experience, I can say that the routine of going to class forces me to be better. And I’m not just talking about grades, but as I said before, it creates discipline and an obligation. In the future, when I have schedules to meet and goals to achieve at work, the fact of having gone to class will make it easier for me to fulfill those obligations. I learn to be punctual and not to say βnoβ to obligations just because I don’t feel like it. Going to class helps me to be more productive and the day goes better. In comparison, if I decide not to go to class, I feel that when it’s time to study the subject, it’s more difficult for me.Β
CRITICAL THINKINGΒ
But after analyzing all these topics, one question remains to be answered: What is critical thinking? According to Oxford Languages, it is the objective analysis and evaluation of a subject to form a judgment. It is a skill that enables people to question information, look for evidence and arguments, consider different perspectives and reach a logical and well-founded conclusion.Β
Critical thinking involves the ability to reflect on one’s thoughts and beliefs and to recognize and address personal biases and assumptions. I would define it as βthe looking for the whys and wherefores of things.β Not just conforming to what we have been taught since we were children but looking beyond. As a student I can say that it is necessary to develop this skillΒ because critical thinking helps us to name and avoid bias and manipulation, to recognize fallacies and weak arguments, and to evaluate the quality and reliability of the information we receive.Β
In addition, critical thinking helps us develop analytical and problem-solving skills, become more creative and innovative, and communicate more effectively and persuasively. In today’s world, where information is abundant and available online, critical thinking has become even more essential to successfully navigate the world of information and make informed, rational decisions.Β
Writer info: Ainhoa Galofre. I love justice and entrepreneurship and that’s why I’m studying my fourth year of Business Administration and Law in the Quinlan School of Business.Β