Grouping (Instructional Purposes)

School/College Collaboration: Teaching At-Risk Youth

jruss — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:53:14 -0500

Al Shanker describes the need for experimentation with the structure and organization of education. He cites a school in Germany that has drastically restructured the way it educates, grouping children with one team of teachers from fifth grade through age nineteen. Collaborative learning is the focus of classwork, and no substitute teachers are ever hired. Shanker further cites research that says that of all the ways to learn material, listening is the least effective, yet we ask students to sit and listen to the teacher all day long. read more »

The Colorado Forum

jruss — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:39:57 -0500

This document summarizes Al Shanker's presentation to The Forum and the subsequent question and answer session. Shanker calls for a restructuring of the educational system. He questions the effectiveness of the current model whereby students are required to sit in a chair and listen for hours. He cites an experimental school in Germany that changes this model. In this German school, students are grouped and then eight teachers stay with the group from fifth grade through the age of nineteen. Students are encouraged to work collaboratively to come up with creative answers. read more »