It may have been written decades ago but, in 'Freedom to Learn' Carl Rogers offers insights into successful, meaningful teaching that are profound today. He wrote:
"It seems that to most people, teaching involves keeping order in the classroom, pouring forth facts usually through lectures or textbooks, giving examinations and setting grades. This stereotype is badly in need of overhauling."
He noticed the 'obvious' that students preferred learning environments in which they were engaged in collaborative learning activities. Students sharing their ideas with each other, carrying out their own enquiries and classroom discussions that invited multiple levels of thinking. Teachers should be ‘facilitators of learning’. Teachers give the students the freedom to learn! As professionals the teacher is then able to provide enough support and challenge to structure activities. Students have all the ability in the world if we give them room to discover and explore!
I completely agree. I think that people underestimate how motivated, curious, creative, and capable children are when they are engaged in activities that are meaningful to them. Whenever I am planning lessons, I make sure to challenge the students, but to also always ask myself, "Would I enjoy this if I was a student?" Rogers definitely knew what "good teaching" is all about. My own "teaching philosophy" consists heavily of his theories.
ReplyDelete~ Chelsi Penner
I would say that all (well, at least the majority) of educators would entirely agree with the statements made. What I am curious about is why we are never taught to do this in the classes it is needed the most, like 30 level math classes. Likewise, I wonder how many teachers of such classes lack the content knowledge necessary to be able to allow the students freedom to learn. The more freedom, the more questions and the greater learning, but it is a scary place for a teacher to be when he or she does not, or cannot find or understand a student's question(s). Finally, so many students seem to lack the motivation to explore - seeming so beaten down from the lack of opportunity. It seems we, as teachers, need to be afforded the time to inspire prior to teaching.
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