Submitted by Michael Mahony (not verified) on November 29, 2006 - 18:55.
I am the product of a "progressive school" (following the John Dewey model). While the curriculum was not designed by the students, the students had a great deal of responsibility for their own learning. Faculty members provided guidence as well as instruction. Students were respected as individuals and their needs and ideas were listened to. Parents completed the tripartate culture that was the school.
Curriculum and the culture it represents that is "handed down" to students seems to foster a passive consumer citizens.
Now, as an educator, I see a tremendous amount of energy devoted to a power struggle between students and anyone in authority (as teachers we play our part). I recognize that no one answer suits all students, but teaching them autonomy and granting them responsibility for an increasing share of their own education would , I beleive, go a long way to making active citizens.
The unfortunate thing is that the alternative schooling is only available as private schooling, leaving the vast majority of children out of the opportunity to develop as autonomous citizens.
I am the product of a
Submitted by Michael Mahony (not verified) on November 29, 2006 - 18:55.
I am the product of a "progressive school" (following the John Dewey model). While the curriculum was not designed by the students, the students had a great deal of responsibility for their own learning. Faculty members provided guidence as well as instruction. Students were respected as individuals and their needs and ideas were listened to. Parents completed the tripartate culture that was the school.
Curriculum and the culture it represents that is "handed down" to students seems to foster a passive consumer citizens.
Now, as an educator, I see a tremendous amount of energy devoted to a power struggle between students and anyone in authority (as teachers we play our part). I recognize that no one answer suits all students, but teaching them autonomy and granting them responsibility for an increasing share of their own education would , I beleive, go a long way to making active citizens.
The unfortunate thing is that the alternative schooling is only available as private schooling, leaving the vast majority of children out of the opportunity to develop as autonomous citizens.