What to Look for in a Classroom. Interview with Alfie Kohn | LearnCentral. Well, Duh! April 2011 “Well, Duh!” -- Ten Obvious Truths That We Shouldn’t Be Ignoring By Alfie Kohn The field of education bubbles over with controversies. It’s not unusual for intelligent people of good will to disagree passionately about what should happen in schools.
While many such statements are banal, some are worth noticing because in our school practices and policies we tend to ignore the implications that follow from them. Here are 10 examples. 1. The truth of this statement will be conceded (either willingly or reluctantly) by just about everyone who has spent time in school -- in other words, all of us. The more closely we inspect this model of teaching and testing, the more problematic it reveals itself to be. Corollary 1A: Since this appears to be true for adults, too, why do most professional development events for teachers resemble the least impressive classrooms, with experts disgorging facts about how to educate? 2. 3. 4. 5. First, there are numerous limitations with specific tests.
What Does It Mean To Be Well Educated? "This collection of essays, written from 1999 to 2003, proves the author is one of America's most astute critics of current educational policies.... Kohn is unapologetic and articulate about the advantages of a progressive approach to education that values students' interests, focuses on understanding (rather than the acquisition of isolated facts) and assesses student work authentically (rather than by single, standardized measures).
True to his educational philosophy, he asks readers to consider big questions, such as: What's important to know? What are the qualities of a good school? And perhaps most vital, Who gets to decide and who benefits? " --Publishers Weekly "What Does It Mean to Be Well Educated? --Educational Forum. Kohn - Articles by Subject.