The Graduate's Grind: Brigham Young University- Idaho

The Learning Model
By. Camille Griffiths

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Here at Brigham Young University of Idaho, we have the unique privilege to not only gain an education, but we get to have the Spirit as our teacher.  One detail that President Clark has initiated here is to begin each class with a prayer, even if it is not a religion course.  This has strengthened the Spirit in our classrooms and not only helps the teacher to teach, but opens the students’ mind to better understanding what is being taught.  Adrianne Wilson, student at BYU-I, expressed this about prayer in the classroom: “I love how this university begins each class with prayer and sometimes a hymn.  It really separates us from other universities and brings the Spirit into the classroom.”

 Another recent improvement at BYU-I has been the Learning Model.  The Learning Model is a new format of teaching that professors now use in their classrooms. The Learning Model is outlined below.

 The Learning Model has three steps: 

·      Prepare
o      Each student is expected to come to class with preparation assignments completed, ready to teach others.


·     Teach One Another
o      Students are expected to listen carefully and take his or her turn to teach.
o      Students learn best when they are teaching the material and adding their own experiences to the material being taught.

·      Ponder/Prove
o      Once the student understands what he/she is learning the next step is to find ways to ponder and then prove what has been learned. 
o      One way to prove is to have group discussions on what has been taught and how it has helped the student learn or grow.


The Learning Model also has five principles:

  1. ·      Exercise Faith
  2. ·      Learn by the Holy Ghost
  3. ·      Lay Hold on the Word of God
  4. ·      Act for Themselves
  5. ·      Love, Serve, and Teach One Another


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The Learning Model was created to put a greater responsibility on students’ learning rather than on the teacher.  Jessica Roberts mentioned this: “I started out at Utah State University, but since coming to BYU-I the learning has become much easier for me.  I don’t just sit in a lecture for two hours.  Now I have to come prepared with enough knowledge to teach others and have good group discussions.  It is more one-on-one and interactive.  I learn much better this way.”

BYU-I gives us all the opportunity to learn and grow from the Spirit as well as help and encouragement from teachers and other students in our classes.  Adrianne said, “In my American Heritage class I love how we often have group discussions, because it enables me to teach and learn from other students in my class.  It is more personal and we all are on a first name basis.  The teacher is there to help facilitate the conversations, but I’m grateful to hear comments from the students because they have so many good points.”

There have been several good outcomes of the learning model, but with every good aspect comes some negative aspects as well.  One negative aspect of the Learning Model is stated by Missy Spencer: “I understand the good points of the Learning Model, but it has become very frustrating for me in some aspects.  In so many of my classes we have group projects due all the time.  This creates unnecessary stress because of trying to organize our schedules to get together and our grade is all the same.  I hate that my grade is dependent on someone else’s quality of work.  I have gotten too many low scores because of others’ lack of desire to do well.”

The Learning Model is just beginning to grow within this school and has recently expanded to online courses.  It has helped numerous students at this university to come prepared to class ready to teach their peers.  This university is unique in that we have small classes, which enable us to have plenty one-on-one time with professors.  It is a great opportunity to be part of a school that focuses so much on bettering their students and preparing them for life outside of college.