Nullius in Verba Episode 60: Septem Vacae Sacrae II
Jun 6, 2025
Dive into the debate on classroom size and its effects on education quality, questioning if smaller classes really yield better results. Explore the gap between student expectations and faculty interactions, particularly in different classroom settings. The conversation critiques the pressures of academic publishing, emphasizing quality over quantity, and challenges traditional views on scientific contributions. Finally, it addresses the urgent need to rethink publication practices in academia, urging a shift from personal gain to meaningful scholarship.
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Irrational Beliefs on Class Size
- Students and faculty hold irrational, exaggerated beliefs that small classes are always better.
- Many student complaints stem from unrealistic expectations about universities offering personal identity or care.
One-on-Ones Build Relationships
- Daniël Lakens shares how third-year students have regular one-on-one meetings, leading to close relationships.
- Contrasts his wife's institution's smaller classes where she knows all students, showing different student engagement.
Prioritize Individualized Feedback
- Large classes hinder timely, individualized feedback which is crucial for learning.
- Consider how AI might improve feedback but recognize in-person feedback's unique value.