The paper I wrote

Michelle Walker

Basic Writing

Learning with Honor

Some students on campus complain about the learning model and the honor code, "The learning model makes classes too confusing or a waste of time." "The honor code is a list of radical rules that have nothing to do with the gospel." There are a few schools of thought on how to answers these complaints. Some people point out bluntly "If you don't like it leave" or "If you can't handle it then you shouldn't be here." I believe in converting these murmurers. The Learning Model and the honor code are an example for effective living and learning. We can follow the principles in each and apply them rest of our lives. The honor code and learning model at BYUI are essential to our continued success as a university. Without the honor code and the learning model, we would fall apart. When we truly understand the learning model and the honor code, we become lifelong learners and disciple leaders.

The student honor office has a wonderful visual called the honor code map. The map shows different zones of a student's relationship or understanding of the honor code. The zones are ignorance, discipleship, hypocrisy and disobedience. Most complainers land in the zone of ignorance. Those in the zone of ignorance simply do not understand the importance of the honor code. The honor code creates a unique feeling of safety and security on our campus. I have many friends who attend excellent universities. At these universities, theft is rampant; substance abuse is accepted and people's behavior and personal grooming is often not just offensive to the eyes but the nose as well. I am so grateful to attend a university that expects cleanliness and does not tolerate pot cigarettes alcohol or other gross and illegal activities. The honor codes demands a higher code of conduct with respect to the campus and its sacred nature. The standards for dress and grooming are those expected of disciples of the Lord. Every student on campus has signed a commitment to keep the honor code. Each of us should ask ourselves, am I living in the way I promised to live?

Being prepared for class enables students to learn more because they have already studied they are ready to learn from their teacher. Throughout your life, the time you spend studying the gospel or serving your family is preparation. There will be others who do not understand your need to prepare. Like the people of old, they will say, "Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die". When we stand before the lord prepared and ready for his teaching we know the importance of being able to be ready. The Boy Scout motto is to "Be Prepared". The scouts diligently practice for every situation from survival in the wilderness to electronics. We should always ask ourselves if we are ready for what comes next. In life, we need to be ready for more surprises than just pop quizzes.

When we use the learning model here at BYU Idaho, we teach one another. If children in a classroom are able to apply the principles in real life, and then explain the principal to one another, the teacher has not only taught the subject matter but the skill for them to teach others. By teaching one another, we are all fully participating in the lesson and serving one another. We become a community by teaching and working with one another. You have holes in your knowledge that you do not recognize until you try to teach someone else. You may think you know all the words to a song, until, you try to perform it on the karaoke machine and realize, it turns out you only know the chorus. It was not until you tried to share it that you realized you did not know all the words. I think that this method works a lot better than a lecture where no one talks except the professor. Personally, I can remember lectures well but I feel I learn more by applying and teaching the material than from the lecture. When learning from the lecture I simply remember the knowledge taught. From teaching one another, I have applied the lesson to life.

 

Ponder and prove this piece is more personal as you ask questions and reflect on what you have learned. After you have completed a course, it is tempting to wipe what you have learned from your mind as useless information and forget about it. Always think instead, what did I get out the course how has it taught me? As you think about the material from the last lesson, you are reviewing what have learned. This prepares you for the next lesson and brings the model full circle.

As we grow to understand the learning model and the honor code, we can become truly converted. We have learned to be humble and are ready to learn. This is the first step on the road to becoming a lifelong learner and disciple leader.