Entry #5 Possibility to choose

Arizona State University to offer more short classes

Starting in 2012, Arizona State will offer more 7�1/2-week courses

I am currently a student at Glendale Community College (GCC) taking prerequisite classes for nursing. I was looking for classes which are shorter than the traditional 16 week classes, so I would be able to finish my prerequisites before the deadline for applying to a nursing program. I was happy to find out that GCC offered 8 week classes in English. For one semester I would be able to finish two classes, English 101 and 102. I already finished English 101 and I am currently taking English 102.

In the article: "Arizona State University to offer more short classes" is stated that Arizona State University (ASU) plans to offer courses that can be completed in half of the traditional 15 week time. The change is expected to give students more scheduling flexibility and financial savings. By taking 71/2-week course, students could finish a course faster, graduate faster and pay less in tuition. 
These are the same reasons I choose the 8 weeks long English classes with GCC.

Another reason for ASU to offer 7 1/2-week classes is that this will draw more students and according to the ASU director Fred Corey, “these courses fill up first.” This will increase the popularity and the ratings of the faculty and the university.

I think that the choice of shorter classes over traditional length classes depends on different factors. One factor is the nature of the classes; if the classes are part of the main curriculum for finishing a major or the classes are prerequisite courses. If the class is an important subject which is directly connected to my major, I would prefer a traditional class, to be able to have more time to learn and absorb the information. If the class is a general subject, I would prefer a shorter version, for example math.

Another factor is the background of a student. There are students who had previous degrees and they have already learned some of the material. These students would not need the traditional length class, but a faster version. 

Students who never studied these subjects have to take into consideration the fact that the same work load which is planned for the 15 week class has to be learned for half of the time. This means more hours of studying, long hours of reading, writing, and preparing homework. This is more stressful, and not for everyone. Students are different, some learn faster than others. Another factor that should be considered is the social status of the students. Some students might have jobs and families. They might prefer to take mostly on line classes than the traditional face-to-face classes.

The article presents two students with the same age and studying the same major. One prefers the traditional 15-week semester; the other welcomes the possibility of flexible scheduling. This shows that people are different and have different preferences. It is best when they are given the possibility to choose.

I like the fact that the colleges and universities give the students the possibility to choose what kind of classes they prefer. I think that this is democracy in practice.