When looking at Kohn's chart listing what to look for in a classroom, I reflected on the numerous classrooms I have been in throughout my years of schooling and tried to compare the physical aspects of the classroom with my own feelings on the class itself. One of the list's many details that stuck out to me the most was the "Sounds" section of the chart, which emphasizes an importance in having students explore and exchange ideas. This section also frowns upon frequent and prolonged periods of silence as well as the teacher's voice being the loudest and most heard. Throughout all my years of schooling, I have found that the classes I dreaded the most were the ones in which the teacher would read off of a powerpoint for the entire class while the students remained silent and wrote down notes. I would practically count the seconds waiting for class to end as the teacher would drone on and on about notes I could not care less about. In those same exact classes, with the same exact "boring" material, I would look forward to discussions or group work because it engaged me in a way that the notes could never compare. In other words, as Kohn suggests in the chart, classrooms must promote a learning environment where students can act as leaders in their own learning and explore new ideas with one another. A classroom in which the students are doing most of the discussion and where the teacher acts as a facilitator is more optimal than a classroom in which the teacher is the only voice that can be heard.
I love the idea of the classroom being created for the students to take charge of their learning and leading those discussions. I think this can help set standards for children to become leaders younger and younger and have a more positive influence because they actually feel seen and heard in their space.
ReplyDeleteHi Olivia! I enjoyed reading through your reflection. I can relate to your experience with "boring" classes being boring because of the lack of discussion. Yes, I think that teacher-led instruction is important because at the end of the day, that is how students learn what they need to. However, I agree with your point that students need discussion with one another. Humans are social beings; we need that social connection, so students will be more engaged if they are taking a hand in their own learning.
ReplyDeleteI can also relate to dreading classes where social interaction and collaboration was looked down upon and feeling disengaged during them. I believe it is very important to have times of collaboration or socialization during a class, even for a short time.
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