Students and Teachers Discuss Class Sizes

[Story by Sophia Azam]

Students have many different opinions on class size and how it can affect them. Some students prefer bigger classrooms, while others prefer smaller classrooms. Many students have mixed opinions on which classroom size they prefer.

“I like bigger classrooms because smaller classrooms make it feel kind of cramped,” said junior Nuri Han.

Many students prefer bigger classrooms over smaller classrooms because of feeling cramped. On the other hand, some students enjoy smaller classrooms better.

“I prefer smaller classrooms because the bigger the classrooms, the more kids, and the more kids can be intimidating,” said freshman Ahanaa Kumar.

Even though both classes’ sizes are well-liked, they can both have benefits and downsides.

Bigger classrooms can have several benefits.

“Some pros of a bigger classroom would be the opportunity to meet and work with new people often for group projects,” said Han.

Students like being a part of a larger group in bigger classrooms.

“[The pro is] a bigger community,” said freshman Alicia Aldea.

Bigger classrooms not only have benefits but have cons.

“A con is that more people can be distractions for some individuals,” Kumar said.

Many students think being in a more extensive classroom will lead to more distractions, especially since many students have trouble focusing.

Students also feel smaller classrooms can have multiple pros.

“The pros of a smaller classroom is that some people like me prefer a small space with less people,” Kumar said.

Smaller classrooms can as well have cons.

“Some cons of a small class would be that the classroom environment might be a little dry if most of the stu- dents aren’t talkative,” Han said. Students fear having peers in their smaller classrooms who do not like socializing, which can also affect how well students know their classmates.

“I know my classmates pretty well but not that much when it comes to their personality,” Kumar said. Most students are not close to their classmates but know a few facts about them.

“I know a lot of people in my classes, not super well, but I know a few basic things about them,” said Han.

Countless students agree that class size can affect how they get to know their classmates. Most students concur that getting to know their classmates in smaller classrooms is easier.

“I feel like it would be easier to get to know my classmates in smaller classes because we would be forced to interact, but I think that also depends on how well we get along,” said Han.

Class size can affect many aspects of school, but students agree that class size does not affect how well they learn materials in certain subjects.

“If we are only talking about me, then it doesn’t really matter to me, but it can differ depending on how others prefer their work environment,” said Kumar.

Since most teachers upload as- signments online, students can always back them, so it does not affect the class size.

“Class size doesn’t really affect how I learn the materials since most of them are uploaded online for viewing later. I do wish that sometimes the class would slow down or speed up, though,” said Han.

Teachers do not think that class size can affect their teaching ability.

“I think it depends on how disciplined the students are,” said Mamatha Kandukuri, science teacher. Numerous students can concur that the ideal class size should be no more than 20 students.

Other students think that even 20 students are extreme.

“I think the ideal class size would be somewhere around 15 people,” said Han.

Teachers also have views on the perfect class size. They believe that the class size should be less than 25 students.

“If the Class size is less than 25 for schools’ systems, it’s better to organize and give Instruction/Lab/Activity,” said Kandukuri.

Both students and teachers have very distinct views on class size and how it can affect them in their school life.