DVC’s switch to block scheduling is a big improvement over the previous five-day-a week pattern and should continue, despite student leaders’ complaints.
Seventy-five-minute classes now run back-to-back, four days a week, with many students finished by early afternoon and off on Fridays.
Inter Club Council president Francisco Hinojosa and Bundit Kertbundit, president of the Associated Students of DVC, blame the new schedule for a drop in club activity and attendance at ASDVC-sponsored events.
But it is too early to make that determination.
Even Bill Oye, dean of student life, says he is unsure of the effects of block scheduling on extracurricular activities.
In fact, by condensing the time spent at school, students actually have more time for extracurricular activities, such as work, volunteering, internships and even campus clubs.
With Fridays set aside for classes taught in three-hour blocks, many of us enjoy a three-day weekend.
And by taking back-to-back morning classes, we can, if we choose, be finished by 12:15 p.m. on the other four days.
There also are other, more scholastic benefits.
The extended class period allows students to have a ‘more concentrated focus,’ and student success rates increase, says Susan Lamb, vice president of academic affairs.
It also gives instructors more time to set up and finish class activities. As one faculty member complained of the previous, 50-minute, three-days-a-week classes: By the time she got class going, it seemed to be nearly over.
Although classes are back-to-back with block scheduling, this is no different than how many students arranged their courses in previous semesters.
And, like before, there is still the option of scheduling oneself a mid-day break to study, participate in club events, or go hang out in the Quad.
DVC has always been a commuter school, and building a sense of community is always a challenge. The social dynamics change semester to semester, and, by necessity, many students work off campus. DVC President Judy Walters is to be applauded for saying block schedule is here to stay, at least for now.
In the meantime, the college intends to conduct an internal survey to find how students feel about it.
That’s the right approach for something of this importance.