Even though the idea of student-centred classrooms may be seductive, there are a number of very good reasons to believe this type of learning is misguided, says author, columnist and educator Michael Zwaagstra.
Guest Post by Michael Zwaagstra: What’s Wrong with Our Schools
Michael Zwaagstra
Whatever happened to common sense in education? If you are a parent, teacher, principal, or school trustee, perhaps this question has crossed your mind. Perhaps you have even heard the same question, or a similar one, from your children’s teachers, your neighbors, or your friends. Whether it is the lack of content in some school curricula, the anti-testing ideology promoted by many educators, the no-fail policies that have been enacted by some school boards, or the pervasiveness of what might be described as “edu-speak” or “edu-babble,” there is growing concern and skepticism with some of the more recent policies and practices in many public schools in North America.
Guest Post by Michael Zwaagstra: Maybe lectures aren’t so bad after all
Michael ZwaagstraThis “less is more” philosophy dominates education faculties across Canada and explains why textbooks are becoming shorter and less informative. New math textbooks contain lots of pictures and problem solving suggestions but little in the way of concrete practice questions while many science textbooks are little more than do-it-yourself experiment guides.
The move away from direct instruction methods and content in the curriculum is defended as consistent with the research evidence. However, recent research actually shows the exact opposite.
