That seemed to be one of the main points in the article, just getting through material was a terrible way to look at classroom learning.
That seemed to be one of the main points in the article, just getting through material was a terrible way to look at classroom learning.
Impossible seems a bit harsh. The situation could certainly be improved, and it might certainly be improved if the instructor has more time to engage in students as individuals, which can't be done much in a short period system (this was my main complaint with HS and why I never took a huge lecture course). I do agree that the current method of engagement, overall, is not ideal.
Lectures of any sort longer than an hour are pretty painful. Science lab classes shorter than an hour are likewise pretty painful. Designing a schedule that can accommodate both is not easy and people typically don't even try (though they should!).