Promoting Active Learning

Student say subjects are treated in-depth in U.S. universities, and this deep subject knowledge in classes, combined with practical application, makes their education wholesome. (stock_photo_world / Shutterstock.com)

U.S. universities offer a classroom experience with a variety of courses to choose from, well-organized sessions that encourage student participation, and hands-on experiences, fostering an interactive learning environment. This, combined with the freedom to tailor academic schedules, presents a unique opportunity for international students. It allows them to make the most of their time while pursuing a U.S. degree.

Freedom of choice

For Rishabh Patil, a graduate student of computer science at Northeastern University in Massachusetts, the freedom to customize his academic journey is “one of the biggest pros” of studying in the United States. “It gives a lot of freedom to choose subjects that actually interest us rather than following a laid-out, one-size-fits-all subject list,” he says.

While the range of classes offered at universities can be overwhelming, university career counselors and dedicated school professionals are always available to help students navigate the decision-making process.

“The autonomy to select your own classes and customize your schedule is undeniably an advantage,” says Divya Kaushik who is pursuing a master’s degree in law from the University of California, Los Angeles. “Once you determine your preferences and establish a plan based on factors like unit distribution and difficulty levels, there’s a sense of empowerment.”

Manasi Chandu, a graduate student of communication management at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, particularly appreciates the flexibility of the American academic system in terms of how to present papers, take exams and explore the subject matter. “Students have more freedom to pick how they want to present their findings,” she says. “There was more stress on presentation and public-speaking skills as opposed to the subject matter, which I appreciated. Even guest lectures were interesting because, along with theory, you also get to learn directly from people who are in the field, so you know exactly what to expect when you step out for your job in the future.”

Flexible schedules

At U.S. universities, international students also enjoy the flexibility of defining their class schedule. “Things are not structured very formally, giving the student a lot of leeway to figure out how they want to structure their schedule,” says Chandu. “This is one of the reasons why I chose to study in America.”

The choice and opportunity also encourage the faculty to get creative in their teaching methods and keep students motivated. Numerous faculty members teach the same subject, offering students “the opportunity to choose between professors,” says Kaushik. “This not only ensures the credibility of instructors but also fosters healthy competition among them, ultimately contributing to the delivery of quality education.”

Classes are usually offered at various times during the day, enabling students to create an academic schedule that allows pursuit of non-academic interests.

“U.S. universities offer classes throughout the day and into the evening, facilitating a balance of part-time work commitments alongside academic pursuits,” says Kaushik. “This flexibility empowers students to manage their schedules and meet individual needs.”

Balanced approach

Patil appreciates how U.S. universities strike a balance between structured curriculum, practical classes and down time for self-study. “The classrooms and labs are very organized and the curriculum is well laid out,” he notes. “Classes and labs are not very frequent, maximum twice a week, which gives a lot of time for self-study.”

Rudraneel Sinha, an undergraduate student of computer science at Purdue University in Indiana, says American classrooms are centered on active learning. “Assignments and lab work require more than simply applying lecture material,” he shares. “There is an emphasis on applying lecture material by living with the problem and figuring out a way to solve it, which often makes you realize things that may have initially been nonintuitive,” he says.

Students say subjects are also treated in-depth, and this deep subject knowledge combined with practical application is what makes their education in the United States wholesome. “Having listened to numerous alumni extol the practical approach of teaching in the United States, I discovered that their praises barely scratched the surface of the reality I encountered,” notes Kaushik. “Particularly in law studies,” she adds, “the American educational system promotes hands-on learning, real-world application and problem solving that demands a deep understanding of concepts and their practical applications rather than mere rote memorization.”

Participating in classroom discussion is also crucial. “Class participation is emphasized, contributing to improved retention of material, enhanced communication skills and greater comprehension. This interactive approach fosters a collaborative learning environment that encourages student engagement and motivation,” says Kaushik.

At times, U.S. universities choose open-book assessments, even permitting internet access. Law school exams, for instance, typically present complex fact patterns and scenarios to test students’ ability to apply legal knowledge to real-world situations. “Rather than seeking a single correct answer, these exams prioritize the identification of all relevant legal issues within the given context and providing practical advice to hypothetical clients,” she explains. “This approach mirrors the challenges of real-world legal practice, effectively immersing law students in the intricacies of their field from the outset.”

Sinha explains that the grading system includes participation, attendance, labs, assignments, and so on, and not just a final project or test. “Course structures that enable learning in different ways and grading in different ways are definitely something the U.S. education system does exceedingly well,” he explains. “Courses in colleges here in the United States make an active effort to break up the final grading scheme in a way that balances well between exams, assignments, attendance, labs and so on.”

This approach encourages a deep-running relationship of mutual respect between students and professors, which is crucial to creating a positive classroom experience. “The positive relationship between students and professors is a cornerstone of the U.S. educational experience,” shares Kaushik.

Natasa Milas is a freelance writer based in New York City.

---

Click here to sign up for the free SPAN newsletter: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSPAN

---

---