Topic 14 Should university students be required to attend classes?
Some people may believe that going to classes should be optional, but I really
disagree with them about it. I do not understand how a university student can
expect to learn much knowledge if he doesn't attend classes. Although selfstudy
is a good way to acquire knowledge, students, I believe, need to be in
class.
In classes students receive the benefit of the teacher's knowledge. A teacher
does more than just going over the material in the textbooks; she draws her
students into discussions that may lead further understanding of the teaching
material. She not only teaches acknowledge and theories, but also presents
opposing opinions that help students think and absorb what they have learned.
Additionally, she may invite guest speakers to give her students extra
information from another prospect, or play some documentary films on certain
subject.
Besides teaching knowledge, a teacher impart her students the right method of
study. In that way, the students can understand how to study efficiently, how to
find information from proper resources, and how to apply what they have
learned into practice. In other word, if there is no teacher to lead them to the
right way, the students may go into a roundabout and waste lots of time.
The last reason for attending classes is that going to classes can train students to
be more responsible and have good sense of teamwork. In classes, the students
may be given some group assignments. To achieve assignments, they can know
what is their respective responsibility and how to cooperate with others.
Meanwhile, they can learn from each other because each student has his strong
points, different background and experience.
In short, going to classes give students more knowledge, help them to become
more responsible, cooperative and thoughtful. I believe that attending classes
cannot be optional, but should be a essential part of university education.