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My weekend back in school Imagine a lively discussion with a small group of friends around the dining room table. Imagine a monthly retreat for intellectual stimulation and personal growth. Imagine being in control of your own learning. Hold that picture and look around. You're in college – the small, but unique, Shimer College. Tucked away in a residential neighborhood in Waukegan, Illinois, Shimer holds classes for about 125 students. Approximately 40 are adult students, of all ages and varied backgrounds, who fit college into their busy lives by devoting just one weekend out of every three to school – one very intense weekend! Intrigued by what I'd heard about Shimer, I set off to see it for myself. Just like family Even though students have not been together for three weeks (and that can seem like a lifetime in a busy life!), they seemed to pick up conversations just where they left them. All were anxious to get down to work. I must admit I felt a little awkward entering such an intimate classroom, especially near the end of the term. But Shimer is used to having observers. It's the best (probably only) way for prospective students to figure out if this environment is right for them. I was immediately drawn into the Shimer "family" and made to feel at home. In class - and out The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, and it didn't take long for the class discussions to get heated. There are no lectures at Shimer. The teachers don't lead students down a predetermined path to a given conclusion. Rather teachers and students explore readings together. Faculty members are facilitators who let students pick the paths to reach their own conclusions, guiding the way and keeping them on track. It's a mutual exploration of a topic. In each class, I joined a group of 10-12 students and the teacher, sitting around a table. "Pull up a chair," I was invited, "No one sits in a corner at Shimer." Faculty and students share insights, questions and opinions. Participation is absolutely required - there's no hiding or daydreaming here! Teachers learn from students. Students learn from teachers, but equally, from each other. Discussion often becomes so lively that it continues in the lunchroom, where professors and students mingle, and on into the next class. I can't remember many of my own college classes where the students were so involved and enthusiastic. Relearning how to read Although I wished that I had also read the assigned books (only original works are studied – no textbooks here). I enjoyed these discussions. I love to read, but I've always viewed reading as a solitary activity. I was wrong! Now I see that reading without discussion is like talking to yourself. While you gain some understanding, you may never get past your own misconceptions to true insight. It's sometimes disagreement with others, or seeing their problems in understanding an issue, that is most helpful to clarify our own thinking. One student told me "You need the discussion. We discussed Karamazov for 6 sessions. It wasn't until the last that someone made a comment that made me see it in a whole new light." Focus on communication Because I work in a communications field, I know that effective communication is not as easy to achieve as many think. I've also learned how important it is in business. The Shimer style of open roundtable discussion develops strong verbal communications skills. Students must present and support their views, and learn when to persist and when to hold back – important meeting skills in the working world. There's a lot of writing required, too. Many students commented on the amount of work involved, but none complained about it. It's this combination of reading, discussion and writing that helps students explore topics from multiple perspectives, take a stand and express their own opinions, and learn to accept the validity of conflicting views. The model works for students willing to invest the time and energy in their studies. I think it's particularly effective for adults, who have so much experience to feed the discussions. Students will put these communications skills to good use in their careers. They will also grow personally. One student spoke for many when he said, "I'm not doing this to get a better job – I'm quite happy where I am. But I want to grow. I decided that I would devote the second half of my life to developing me." Withdrawal At the end of 2 days in the classroom, I was exhilarated, and itching to get home and reread a few classics. I was also very tired. Facing work, though, on Monday morning was something of a letdown. I found there's no easy way to combat the "withdrawal" experienced after a weekend of such intense intellectual stimulation. I'd heard it from several students during our casual conversations. Now I felt it myself. It's hard to switch gears. Believe it or not, we all wanted to be back in the classroom! 6/26/01 TOP |
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