I chose Representing Race (Asian Studies) class as a site to make observations of Temple students in order to relate to my chosen topic. I think this class is the most suitable as the course fulfill the Gen Ed Race and Diversity requirement. The class is quite informal where discussions and differences of perspectives are necessary. Thus, it is easier for me to observe the classroom behavior instead of major-related class where it only focuses on topics that stated in the course syllabus. As I am also a student in that class, I decided to observe the teaching methods and classroom behavior passively. I observed from the beginning to the end of the class for two days where I spent about one hour and fifty minutes each day.
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Even I was from a private college in my country, I have to wear the school uniform, but here you can wear whatever you want. Back in my home country, we couldn’t sleep and talk to other classmates, but here you can even step out of class in the middle of class. Next, U.S professors are more casual and friendly. Besides, every quiz, homework and assessments here are important as they will affect our final grades. In Indonesia, the final grades would be based only on two major exams; midterm exam and final exam.
Q : Last but not least, do you favor teaching methods and classroom behavior in US universities?
A : America symbolizes freedom in any kind of way- that’s what a foreigner like me looking for. I love the teaching style which is two-way interaction between professors and students. We are free to voice out what we think and the informality makes the class easy to follow and stress-free. On the other hand, I don’t like the idea of informality leads the students to become disrespectful. Actions like sleeping, talking, and stepping out of class in the middle of class are disrespectful towards the instructor regardless of gender and race as they are people who give knowledge to