More Than a Lecture

During initial lectures we were explained the two options for our participation in Sociology 100. We could attend a normal discussion class with weekly meetings to discuss the course. Or we could participate in the Trek program and visit a chosen placement weekly, serving as a volunteer to the community. Coming to University I was eager to not only learn within but also outside of the campus. I saw Trek as an opportunity that would ensure learning outside campus, but also allow me to engage in the community. I had been looking into several clubs on campus to join a community, however, I wanted to interact and engage with people outside of the University boundaries.

I was not assigned a placement until January and so I do not believe that my participation in Trek significantly helped my integration into University or navigation of the institution since I had already been in Vancouver since August.

I was assigned to an elementary school in the east side of Vancouver and placed in a classroom who’s students were unable to learn in the traditional classroom setting. Not having a specific role as a volunteer allowed me to work with the teacher and students through observation, participation, and assisting. Above all, I believe that I learned the most from observing. Seeing the methods, the teacher used to approach situations and control the students were new to me and reflected some topics addressed in lectures. Much of material addressing different methods parents/society influence and teach kids was very interesting to observe in the classroom setting. My experience at the elementary school exhibited many examples of how we are institutionalized and we don’t really notice until we are made aware of them. Prior to university I had not perceived modern educational institutions as assets of the state or methods to induct children into society. When learning it in lecture, it was simple to understand how the state does it abstractly. However, going to the school and seeing different methods developed my understanding of the topic and latent functions of societal institutions.

Additionally, in discussion classes, it was interesting to expand on how volunteering is a way that society develops a community. There were many times where I had not thought that I made any impact in the classroom or on the students, but Dr. Greer addressed how our presence and small conversations with the children give them a different outlet. For example, many students may not think University is an option for them due to many reasons, but speaking and forming a relationship with a university student would influence their thoughts towards university.

Personally, I am a student that learns most with hands-on experience and applying/directly seeing what is taught in lectures. My placement in Florence Nightingale Elementary facilitated understanding in lectures regarding institutions of community and child development, and helped me learn about the societal institutions and their functions in a city that differed from one I grew up in.