Week 6 Individual Assignment
Looking back, one of the most beneficial classes I ever took was advanced algebra in high school, and one of the least helpful was my general physics class during COVID-19. The difference between the two was the way the material was taught and how engaged I felt in the learning process. Advanced algebra was the most helpful for me. I took it my freshman year, and it built the foundation for every math and physics class I took after that. The class was structured well, with clear explanations, plenty of practice problems, and a teacher who made sure we actually understood the material. When I didn’t understand concepts, or my grade fell, my teacher made additional time for me outside of class. According to effective training principles, a great learning experience needs clear objectives, meaningful content, and a connection to real world application. That is pretty much exactly what this class provided. Every lesson built on the previous one, making the material easy to follow, and the constant practice ensured that I retained what I learned. Overall it helped me not only learn math but the process of learning too. On the other hand, my general physics class, which was completely online during COVID was a mess. The lectures were just pre-recorded videos with little interaction, and there was no real opportunity to ask questions or engage with the material. For someone like me who learns best by asking questions and seeing things visually this setup was far from ideal, especially because I was new to online learning, and teachers were just starting to get into it. According to Kirkpatrick’s Training Evaluation Model, an effective learning experience should be engaging, allow for hands-on practice, and provide feedback. This class did none of that. Without interactive elements or real support, it was hard to grasp concepts, and I struggled to retain what I was learning. Looking back, the biggest lesson here is that how something is taught is just as important as what is being taught. A well-structured class that actively involves students is far more effective than one that just dumps information on them.