This week I read an interesting article about "Rule-Free Teaching." The main idea being communicated was that students don't really need a list of rules and regulations in order to be productive and civilized in the classroom. Mr. Michael Peters, the instructor for CWRU's Vocal Pedagogy class, actually mentioned something similar to this in class the other day. What he said and what the article is saying is essentially the same; the only rule that really needs to be established is mutual respect. The author of the rule free teaching article, Joel, splits this into two segments- follow directions, and do nothing that interferes with the teaching and others' learning.
I think that this is a wonderful concept. Teaching with a minimal rule set allows for there to be less enforcement and more time for music-making and education. In the process, it eliminates all of the loopholes that students will inevitably try and find in the established rules. If at all possible, I would like to adopt a strategy similar to Joel's once I am teaching.
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I agree that this would be a very good tool to implement as a teacher. But I think, like Communism, it only looks good on paper.
ReplyDeleteI know that an educator should have respect for all his students, and I know that most students should respect the people that control their grades. But this is not the case, and there are a lot of students who could care less what their teachers think.
I think it is also important to note that the reason why you are there is to teach. Productivity comes from order. The students may be able to be quiet during class, but they have no idea how to rehearse. That is why you, the teacher, is there. You are there to you can rehearse and spread a love of music.
Of course if you can have both respect and discipline then you will be golden and have a very successful teaching career.
This sounds a bit like the Montessori method - lots of activities and freedom to explore as children choose. (I admit that I don't know a lot about Montessori schools.)
ReplyDeleteCan you include links to the sites you are following? Others may choose to check them out and maybe add them to their own PLN.
tk