Learning can be classified into two different categories.
Learning that is done in the classroom is one way, and the kind of learning that is done outside the classroom is another type of learning.
While both types of learning are beneficial, it is important for students to get both types of learning while they are at Baker University.
Baker University’s mission statement reads “Baker University is committed to assuring student learning, and developing confident, competent and responsible contributors to society.”
In order to be a confident, competent and responsible contributor to society, some sort of learning needs to happen, but it doesn’t mean all of the learning needs to be done in the classroom.
While a lot of learning at Baker does happen in the classroom, the faculty, staff and students at BU are also committed to learning outside the walls of the traditional classroom. That kind of learning has been in abundance so far this semester and students are going above and beyond with being contributing members to society.
On Oct. 1, sophomore Parker Owen organized an event to raise awareness about homelessness. While Owen did this as part of an experiential assignment for a class, the skills that he, and other students who participated, learned are just as valuable as listening to a professor lecture.
A homeless fashion show, guest speakers and bonding with other students, who wanted to raise awareness, probably helped Owen to learn even more than he would have in a typical class setting.
This month, the women of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority also have been learning outside the classroom.
This week, campus was filled with information about breast cancer and messages urging those on campus to “think pink.” While Zeta Tau Alpha’s philanthropy, on a national level, is raising awareness about breast cancer, the women on Baker’s campus are doing all they can to help that cause and to do their part. You wouldn’t be able to get that kind of experience from a traditional classroom setting.
So, students, faculty and staff should be aware that learning doesn’t have to happen in the classroom and that some of the most effective learning happens once students leave the classroom.
Learning doesn’t have to be traditional. What students are able to learn from projects like homelessness awareness, or raising funds for breast cancer research, is something you might not get inside a classroom setting, and students should try to do more of that kind of learning.
Baker does a great job of helping students learn in different settings, there should just be more of it.
