by Joan Inong

Created on: June 20, 2009

Competitiveness is beneficial in the classroom. Not only does it motivate students to work harder, but it can also foster relationships that are necessary for proper social development.

Academic competitiveness is a motivator. At any level of education, whether elementary or college, competitiveness in the classroom is more beneficial than it is negative. Students who are not competitive appear to be at a standstill in their academic careers. Not only do they feel that they don't have to work hard, but students also think that school has become boring for them. Competitiveness does not only mean that students are bickering amongst themselves; this is the viewpoint of negativity and pessimism. Competitive students hopefully learn about dignity and respect. If they lose the competition, they hopefully learn that there is a next time, and that working hard does pay off.

Let us take an example that may be more familiar. Two students are in a biology class. One student has been a C-average student, who cares a lot about school, but not enough to make better grades. On the other hand, the second student is normally an A-average student. Competition naturally arises amongst the top students of the class. The C-average student does not want to feel as if he isn't good enough; so, he also takes up the competition, too. In the long run, he begins to earn B's and A's, and his average is improved. In this scenario, we can easily see that the academic competitiveness that arises between students is beneficial.

Those who do not favor competition in the classroom say that students begin to hate one another. No friendships are formed. This isn't true. In fact, competition can naturally arise among friends, and, if the friendship is strong enough, it only benefits from competition, since competition will make the relationship stronger. Education requires teamwork; that is why learning in a group is generally more helpful than learning alone. Many ideas are formed and congregate, enriching everybody's knowledge. Thus, if we expect that competition only creates negative relationships, then we miss the point. Competition in the classroom, if performed properly, only enriches the overall knowledge that exists in that classroom. This is true when it comes to a global picture. Many cultures studied mathematics, but when all of these cultures began to compete, then mathematics was enriched. Competition in the classroom is needed if students are to have well-rounded educations.

Learn more about this author, Joan Inong.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.