As a future teacher, I have always taken a special interest in the ways in which an educator is teaching a topic or a class. In high school, a lot of my teachers showed us a PowerPoint from which we were supposed to take notes. Then, we would have some worksheets to complete or an essay to write, and lastly, we would be tested on the material from the PowerPoint lessons. I became accostumed to this way of learning, but looking back on it now, I feel as though I did not retain as much information as I could have. College has taught me that I simply learn better in discussion-based classes rather than in these lecture-based ones with a PowerPoint thrown up on a screen. The overwhelming majority of my classes in college in the United States have nurtured an environment in which students do some reading on a topic, and then we should come prepared to discuss the topic during the next class. Usually, too, where us students may not realize or understand something about a topic, the professors are there to fill in the gaps. This has become my new normal, and I have been able to learn and retain more information because of it. But, and there is always a but, that is how it is at college for me in the United States. Spain, however, has been a different story.

Three of my classes have virtually sucked me back into my high school days, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is not a good thing either. In these classes, I have either been given packets of notes with everything already typed up for me, or the professor has conjured up lengthy PowerPoints that we take notes on. Of course, then, we have homework assignments to do, which thankfully get me thinking more critically about the information. But, we follow up with cut-and-dry tests on the material from the packets or PowerPoints. Reverting back to these old ways has not been very difficult, and I would say it has been beneficial since this manner of learning takes less time out of the classroom so I have more freedom to travel. Knowing I learn better in discussion-based classes, I have been pushing myself to ask questions to engage different ideas, too. Although I do not necessarily prefer this type of learning, studying abroad has taught me to be flexible, even in the classroom!

Thankfully, one of my classes, Spanish Art History, is similar to my classes in the states. There is not much preparation before class for these lessons, but the professor typically shows us artwork that we as a class will comment on what we think the different elements are. For example, if he puts up a dark piece by Goya, we might chime in about what we think obscure colors reprsent. I have found that I really love this class, partially because I love art and partially because I enjoy participating and learning from discussion.

I do have one class right now that is some sort of unfortunate nightmare for me. There are no packets… no PowerPoints to take notes… and no discussion. It is just the professor lecturing off the top of his head. This could be better if his rambling made sense, but no, it usually does not. Taking notes in the class is very hard for me, especially since I never been in a class quite like this. We are also expected to choose a supplementary book to help us learn the information more in depth, which in theory is not terrible. But, when we ask a question hoping for a more in-depth explanation, his usual response is, “read your book.” This can really let a person down when they are eager to hear what the professor views as important about a topic. It is safe to say that I am nervous about teaching myself with no real direction of what to be studying. But, as always, I will be flexible and lean on my peers for support, because they seem to be scared, too! 

Classes in Spain have seemed to pull me in all sorts of directions, but again, I have been doing my best to go with the flow. At the end of the day, and the semester, I will survive even my most difficult classes. Flexibility really is the key, and I am glad I figured that out sooner rather than later!