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Teaching has too much Controversy
Using the term “controversy in education” as a search term will produce more results than one can read in a month. Too much of what is included in instruction is passed on from generation to generation without any good reason except a belief that it works. Teachers often reject research or expert opinion as too far outside the classroom to be useful.
What are the controversial issues? Well, just about everything teachers do, because although much of what is done in class is necessary, it is not always done correctly. For example, most teachers give tests and quizzes, but many don’t know the difference between formative and summative assessments.
What are the Controversial Issues?
The issues I have listed below are gleaned for (1) web searches, (2) personal involvement is web “chats,” (3) my own knowledge as a long-time educator is various tenures, and (4) extensive reading of books and articles of highly regarded authors in education.
Here are the topics in which I find the most egregious disagreement and/or lack of consistency:
• Homework. It is still overused and graded
• Assessment. Teachers should know how to write good assessments.
• Discipline. It requires maturity, patience, and a knowledge of what makes people behave well.
• Notes. There is a right and wrong way to use them.
• Science. How can teachers possibly make science boring?
• Rewards. The best reward is knowledge.
• Motivation. Punishment does nor motivate.
Extra credit. Why?
There are more, but these serve as a foundation. Get involved by reading, learning from the best teachers, learn from mistakes, encourage discussions in schools.