Class management
Posted by Greg on October 25, 2007
I came across an article in Teacher.net/gazette that I wanted to share. I’ve pasted only a small amount and included the link to the origional for all to paruse.
“The control students need is self-control and the discipline needed is self-discipline. The reward–punishment system simply cannot produce self-directed, responsible, independent students. Classroom management, classroom control and classroom discipline are absolutely essential if students are to achieve our educational goals. But, those educational goals must include the promotion of autonomous, responsible, self-disciplined, independent, productive, problem-solving, decision-making, intelligent-thinking, self-directing, continuously learning individuals. I know of no way schools and teachers can accomplish these goals except to create democratic learning communities at every level from the classroom up so students can participate in the decisions that influence their lives.”
by Bill Page http://teachers.net/gazette/NOV02/page.html. Oct 25, 00
I have to agree with Page that reward/punishment is not the greatest system. Like Robert Owen, I would suggest the the intrinsic bennifits, that is learning and wisdom, should infact be the prime motivators of a students education. While this may sound idealistic, these students are the successfull students. In my grade twelve year, as well as in my college years, I was no longer at school for the grades, or because I had to be, but rather, for the value of knowedge and personal growth. While it will be a challenge, I think it important to attempt to instill some of this within our students. To empower them to take controll of thier own life and look for the intrinsic rewards rather thar than the extrinsic bennifits and punnishments.
