The idea of making the life of a student more intense and exciting has been picked as a topic for a number of researches lately (Gibbs and Poskitt 5). Many solutions have been suggested, including partying, making lectures interactive, introducing creative classes, etc. However, what most of these ideas seem to ignore is the power of a hobby and a process of sharing one’s interests and achievements in this hobby with others (Reeve 149). Only a few researches point at the significance of clubs in students’ life (Massoni 84).
In fact, the positive effects of clubs on students’ performance have been listed in a number of studies (National Collaboration for Youth 1). It should be noted, though, that some scholars disagree that clubs help students in their studying process. In fact, a number of people believe that clubs can and, most likely, will be a major distraction for students. However, for the most part, researchers give student clubs organizers enough credit for creativity and enthusiasm at the very least, often praising clubs for pushing studies further and training students’ skills (Umar para. 5).
It should be noted that the history of clubs created for students to indulge in their hobbies is quite long. It is hard to spot the first attempt at making students’ life more diverse, yet some of the earliest clubs date way back to 1984, when Astin came up with the idea of encouraging students for a better academic performance by praising their achievements in other fields (Trowler 2). The strategy for creating student clubs has not changed considerably since then, the basic idea remaining the same. The methods of these clubs creation, organization and funding, however, have suffered drastic changes, the financial aspect being the focus (Hayens et al. para. 25).
The integration of new media and the latest technologies into organizing student clubs has shaped the latter a lot. With the introduction of the Internet, there is no need for the physical presence of the group and, therefore, renting the premises (Schimpf 1). Technology has also allowed for the coordination of several activities at the same time. Moreover, with the principles of shared knowledge and a single database, information management has been improved greatly, which helps conduct meetings and coordinate other activities more efficiently (McGowen 57).
It is worth mentioning, though, that the idea of bringing every single club that is related to the American University in Cairo is, in fact, innovative – similar practices occurred mostly in the U.S. (Model Bylaws for Student Clubs para. 1) and Europe (Student Union Constitution 12), yet are rather few in Egypt, with no obvious headquarters (Basic University Regulations for Student Leaders 9). Hence, the given project can be considered a breakthrough in the Cairo higher education realm.
An online student club that coordinates the work of several departments and arranges the meetings for the members of these departments is definitely going to revolutionize the existing Cairo system of student education (Anderson 3). A number of sources claim that, while it is not going to affect the educational system directly, it is going to shape the students’ attitude towards the education process by providing them an outlet for their creativity and the willingness to express themselves (Shiveley and Wang para. 1). Clubmania (“About Us” para. 1) is going to provide the students with such an opportunity, and is bound to succeed in its beginnings.
Works Cited
“About Us.” Clubmania. 2013. Web.
Anderson, Lisa. External Review of American University of Cairo’s Student Life Operations. 2013. Web.
Basic University Regulations for Student Leaders 2011/2012. Web.
Gibbs, Robyn and Jenny Poskitt. Student Engagement in the Middle Years of Schooling (Years 7-10): A Literature Review. New Zealand, NZ: Ministry of Education. 2010. Print.
Hayens, Charles C. et al. “Chapter 1. Part II. Core Issues for All Schools to Consider.” First Amendment in Schools. Ed. Charles C. Hayens. New York, NY: ASCD, 2003. Web.
Massoni, Erin. “Positive Effects of Extra Curricular Activities on Students.” ESSAI 9.27 (2011), 84–87.
McGowen, Robert S. The Impact of School Facilities on Student Achievement, Attendance, Behavior, Competition Rate and Teacher Turnover Rate in Selected Texas High Schools. Diss. Texas A&M University, 2007. Print.
Model Bylaws for Student Clubs n. d. Web.
National Collaboration for Youth. The Impact of Youth Development Programs on Student Academic Achievement. 2011. Web.
Reeve, John Marshall. “A Self-determination Theory: Perspective on Student Engagement.” Handbook of Research on Student Engagement. Ed. S. L. Christensen. New York, NY: Springer Science and Business Media, LLC. 149–171. Print.
Schimpf, Patricia L. G. The Relationship between Career, Technology, Education and High School Graduation. Diss. Liberty University, 2011. Print.
Shiveley, Jonathan P. and Jing Wang. Student Leadership and Academic Performance. n. d. Web.
Student Union Constitution n. d. Web.
Trowler, Vicki. Student Engagement Literature Review. Lancaster, UK: Lancaster University, 2010. Print.
Umar, Said S. “The Effect of Social Factors on Students’ Academic Performance in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.” Library Philosophy and Practice 334.1 (2011), 1–12. Print.