Student input needed for class decision

Students who fall asleep in their one-hour classes might get an extra hour of Z's if Ohio University gets its way with block scheduling.

University officials surveying faculty members to determine if block classes would give professors more scheduling flexibility. With block scheduling, classes that normally meet for one hour, four times a week would instead meet for two hours, twice a week.

Although the change would offer more flexibility for professors, what about the students? The students are the ones paying to attend school, so the need to have input in this decision.

The survey mainly focuses on the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Health and Human Services because both offer courses in mostly one-hour time slots. The decision to block classes is only in the beginning stages with all the data being collected now and examined over the summer.

The university's arguments for the possible change include a more conducive learning environment, and the possibility of more time for professors to concentrate on research, scholarship or service as well as more time for students to study.

Getting student input could be accomplished in a few ways. At the end of every quarter, students fill out professor evaluation forms. This could include a questionnaire on whether students would be willing to switch to a block format. Also, the university could survey students through e-mail and ask them to respond to about block classes.

With the extra time that block scheduling would supposedly bring, the university expects professors and students to use the time productively. But what is the guarantee that professors will do more research and that students will study more?

Many classes now offer a variety of options for scheduling. Students can pick from taking the same class as two hour blocks or four one hour classes a week. These options are beneficial and give students choices. Some students are not willing to sit through a two-hour lecture, while others may enjoy only having class twice a week.

The difference in class format also might contribute to whether students want to take block classes. A two-hour lecture format might not be appealing, while a more hands-on lab format can be easier to work in for two hours at a time.

Before OU officials makes any more decisions about the way students schedule classes, they need to rethink who benefits most from classes. Students' needs should be considered along with professors.