Class, in the LIBRARY????!!!!

The onsite library activity set out to alter our mood. By changing the environment, and providing us with comfort we were able to think more freely without as many distractions. When I say distractions, I mean we were devoid of the distractions of the classroom. In class there are so many distractions, they may not necessarily be visual distractions (although cell phones are a huge visual distraction), they tend to be mental distractions. In class students are thinking about what time it is, and how long until class is over, and, since there is no cell phone service downstairs, if they have any messages. When we went to the library we, or at least I, was not concerned with any of those things. I think it is one of the first times that I have been in English class and not had those mental distractions. How can the administration expect students to learn effectively if they are not comfortable when learning. Whether it be uncomfortable with the classroom, or uncomfortable with the seating, it is proven, at least in my mind, that students need to be comfortable to learn effectively. This library activity set out to provide us with a chance to relax and think freely, comfortably. When doing classroom activities I feel like there is this underlying pressure to complete the activity in a timely fashion and to complete it thoroughly. When we wrote in the library I felt like I wasn't being rushed and I was able to really think about what I was going to write before I wrote it down. I was able to be creative, and thoughts flowed freely, instead of forced. I actually really enjoyed having class in the library, and I think that we should do it much more often. This is somewhat unrelated but, I think it helps to change our mood when the teacher changes our environment. It doesn't necessarily have to be the actual location, but it is refreshing when I walk into class and the seats are arranged in an unconventional way. It helps me to relax, and find some comfort in such a dull looking classroom. Anyway, I've said enough. "Music is to the soul what words are to the mind" Modest Mouse