Let’s get into the “take my class for me” nonsense. Listen to me before you think this is all about taking shortcuts or playing a quick one on your professor. This is not about abandoning integrity; it’s about exploring the reasons why this appeal echoes in college hallways, and what that says about today’s educational circus.
Imagine yourself juggling as many balls as a clown. You have to juggle a lot of balls. There are family obligations, job shifts, and trying to keep a social network so that you don’t become a hermit. In the midst of all this, it sounds nice to have someone else take over one of these spinning plates.
But I don’t think we should hire stand-ins to replace our teachers in class like casting doubles in a film scene. If we look behind this request there is more than what meets the eye.
Online classes was supposed to be the answer. On paper, flexible schedules and learning at your pace sound great. Sometimes it’s more like being left on a unicycle than a noble horse. Cyberspace can be lonely without someone there to help you navigate the information overload.
Here’s when ethics takes center stage. Cheating? Big no-no. This is something we’ve known since kindergarten, when we were taught not to look at the neighboring coloring page. When students feel overwhelmed by deadlines, and are struggling to maintain a sense of balance in their lives, it’s time to question whether the system is part of the issue.
We can talk about solutions, but we shouldn’t pretend that the Holy Grail is hidden beneath a stack of books. Think less Terminator, and more Wall E. Imagine platforms for learning that get the information you want and present it to you in bite-sized chunks, rather than bombarding you with information.
How about changing the way we assess what our students know? You could swap those boring multiple-choice tests for projects that are more relevant to real life or portfolios which show what’s really cooking in the kitchen.
Students who feel overwhelmed by a system of education that can sometimes seem stuck in rapidsand are saying “take my class for myself.” This is not just laziness. It’s an attempt to send a signal into the sky.
Let’s talk about creating learning experiences that will help students thrive, not just survive. They’ll be engaged, supported and even have a little fun.
Next time we hear someone say “take my class for you,” perhaps we will not jump to conclusions. Let’s take it as a challenge to reconsider how we approach education in this crazy time. Isn’t the purpose of learning to be to inspire us rather than to exhaust us?
It’s time to conclude (yeah, I know, I said “no fluff” but please bear with me). Navigating these turbulent waters calls for more than pointing fingers and sticking our heads into the sand. Instead, it requires open dialogues, innovative solutions, as well as a little humor. After all, what is the point of trying to solve problems if you can’t even laugh at yourself?
Next time you hear someone ask “Can someone pay me to take my online course?” Maybe we should question why someone feels that way, instead of assuming they are wrong. Understanding begins with listening, even if it makes you uncomfortable.