Friday, June 28, 2013
They can cram 'cram' schools
Global testing has made it possible to compare educational systems in different countries. But the differences in the make up of these countries make true usable comparisons difficult if not impossible.
I am struck with the amount of importance given to 'academic' education by some of these societies. I am horrified by the idea of cram schools, and the idea that education is placed above family, community, and individual interests as a priority. If we have to adopt a model of education that makes school age children study 16 hours a day to pass a test, then I am fine with coming up short on global comparisons.
My vision of education utopia has to include a healthy dose of respect for the whole person. It would be built with the understanding that balance is ideal. Optimally, we balance facts with opinions, creativity with memorization, independent activities with solitary ones, and school life with personal life. There is so much to learn about the world that can only come from experiences, and I am not referring to manipulatives in the classroom. We must give people the time to experience the world to figure out there connections with it, and where their passions and talents lie.
Now to take this information closer to home and my own classroom, I do not assign homework to my students. I try to develop my lesson plans so that the average (in task speed) student can complete the assignment within the class if they are on task the whole time. Students who do work more slowly might need to finish up at home. Also, not all students can focus and work the whole time in class, and they may need to finish at home. This leaves time for my students to work, complete household chores, pursue interests, communicate with family and friends, volunteer-- to find balance. I know that not all of my students use this time, but there should be that option for those who want to.
What I could do better is introducing and encouraging my students to take advantage of opportunities rich in learning that are available to them. Last year I gave extra credit for any of my students who attended any play, and the outcomes of this simple change were amazing. Next year I will consider expanding that to other things like book talks, improv comedy shows, poetry readings, art shows, groups getting together to watch documentaries, and movies based on traditional literature. I am going to work to promote learning outside of the classroom.
I am not saying that we have nothing to learn from educational systems, but when searching for best practices, we need to make sure that we consider all aspects not just the bottom line.
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As a parent with two children that have severe dyslexia, I appreciate the high school teacher that does not assign homework. The countless hours I spend with them on the homework that is supposed to only take an hour or less is just crazy.
ReplyDeleteAs a sixth grade teacher, I do assign homework, but I am a little more deviant than most in my reasoning. I want to load my students up on the academics, so when they get to middle school the following year, they can relax and adjust to the social arena that has just enveloped them. Why stress kids out further than necessary. The feedback from the parents on this has been very positive. They appreciate that their kids can say, “I got this,” and make that social adjustment with the ability to know the academics are in the bag.
There are more things to life than education in school settings. I think of how much I learn going for walks, looking at art, cooking with my family, eating and visiting with friends. If I were to cut these out of my life, I wouldn’t know but a meager fraction of the part that makes me an effective teacher. I use my travels in the classroom all the time. Cram schools are not for me!
Thoughtful consideration of the whole child is truly important. I agree with you on that. Our district has been cutting many extra-curricular activities due to funding issues. At a meeting with district personnel we were asked as teachers to identify elements we had to keep in our budget that would meet the very basic academic needs of our students. Interesting that we are focused on academics like Singapore and other nations, but we are on the extreme opposite ends of valuing education. We are losing opportunities for students to participate in areas that might interest them in addition or in place of strictly academic areas.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the cram schools for sure! I can't imagine never seeing my child; no family dinners or time together to have fun.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter attended an alternative high school where they didn't assign homework unless they didn't get it done in class. I loved it! We fought about homework constantly before that and actually spent more time fight about it than it would have taken her to do the assignment.
I also like the idea of promoting learning outside the classroom and that you can learn from/through the arts. Our district devalues the arts so much that they are considering hiring classified staff with no teacher training to teacher art, music and PE. That is so sad and makes me wonder where it will stop. Maybe they will start replacing classroom teachers as well.
"I am horrified by the idea of cram schools, and the idea that education is placed above family, community, and individual interests as a priority."
ReplyDeleteI could not agree with you more Lisa. In fact, I would go further and question if the American-style "creativity" other nations are attempting to inject their education systems with isn't simply a factor of us giving kids time to be kids.
On another note, I love that you give extra credit for out of class learning. I too try to promote learning outside of the classroom and give extra credit for plays and such as well. The weirdest extra credit offering I have ever presented is as follows: When reading To Kill a Mockingbird with my sophomores, I informed them that within a 60 mile radius of the school there were two stores right next to each other that drew their names from characters in the book. If any student found the store and purchased any item, they would receive 20 points. Spokane has a coffee shop called Atticus, and right next door is a novelty/ toy shop aptly named Boo Radley's. It got them excited to read, and it got them all buzzing about the mystery. Admittedly, this was a bit of a stretch as an academic pursuit, but it did get their problem solving juices flowing. Usually I limit my extra credit to plays and readings.