Demorcratic Education.

[swordsman]

Has anyone heard of this? I like the concept better than my dumb public school. When I get older I will make one. Here's a link fo information The Better Way (http://www.educationrevolution.org/demschool.html)

[LowRida]

I is a pretty bad idea, kind of like communism, good concept, would not work. If kid's (well me) could choose what they could learn, I would choose to learn nothing, especially at earlier ages. Also, with administrators being on the same level as students, how could they have any authority, creating chaos?

[JoshM]

But you can choose what you want to learn, you just have to learn some things.

[swordsman]

You would chose to study say electrical science or chemical science. Basically all clases are only governed by questions. And LowRida that is because you are disenfranchised with educational systems so you want less. In kidegaarten most kids are excited generating many questions. But kids don't lose enthousiasm(sp?) because they feel included in the system. This would also change kids outlook on American Democracy.

[LaXiN22]

No thank you. I refuse.

[BioPro29]

Most little kids would choose to "study" to be pro athletes.

[twin58]

Has anyone heard of this?

I immediately thought of H. B. Woodlawn in Arlington. Sure enough, it is there.

http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/schools/woodlawn/

Woodlawn has been running that way since 1971.

[LowRida]

You would chose to study say electrical science or chemical science. Basically all clases are only governed by questions.
If that is what you mean, people can choose different classes, we have that in high school. If all classes are students asking questions, what gives the class any structure.
And LowRida that is because you are disenfranchised with educational systems so you want less. In kidegaarten most kids are excited generating many questions. But kids don't lose enthousiasm(sp?) because they feel included in the system.
Did you honestly feel like learning trig, writing essays or anything like that in middle school? Or am I just a "disenfranchised" one in a million child that thought school was semi-pointless. Granted, I love learning alot of stuff now, but come on.

[TheKOB]

I've heard that US kids are the most educated in the world up until 3rd grade or so.

As for what kids would want to study, I think most of 'em want to be astronauts, firefighters, and presidents.

[asian_invasion]

you know this concept would only work if all of the kids were motivated enough to actually care about school. which, to me, doesn't seem likely.

[swordsman]

If that is what you mean, people can choose different classes, we have that in high school. If all classes are students asking questions, what gives the class any structure.


Listen, it's hard for me to explain and I feel I'm not catching the essence of it. As I said I am in noraml Public school. You do your own research.

Did you honestly feel like learning trig, writing essays or anything like that in middle school? Or am I just a "disenfranchised" one in a million child that thought school was semi-pointless. Granted, I love learning alot of stuff now, but come on.

We are all disenfranchised by the modern public education system, at some point.

[bloodilax977]

I have to say this wouldn't work out. Younger kids don't do their work unless they know they have to. All the children would choose art, even if they didn't like drawing or painting. Also, kids would be influenced and pressured by their friends to do the "popular" thing, whether they would need it in life or not. I don't think kids in elementary school are ready to pick classes that will help them with an occupation, considering most don't know any jobs besides "firefighter" and "pro sports player" yet. I think schools are working great the way they are now.

[slinkyspine]

I have to say this wouldn't work out. Younger kids don't do their work unless they know they have to. All the children would choose art, even if they didn't like drawing or painting. Also, kids would be influenced and pressured by their friends to do the "popular" thing, whether they would need it in life or not. I don't think kids in elementary school are ready to pick classes that will help them with an occupation, considering most don't know any jobs besides "firefighter" and "pro sports player" yet. I think schools are working great the way they are now.

yes this man i 100% correct

[HdGLaxWarrior]

Would this be like US Government? If so I took that freshmen year. It reviewed on all the branches.

[aussielax]

It looks like a good idea i think it would be suited to the way i learn. Because i do learn some interesting and important things in school but i think my teachers also try and teach me a whole lot of things the are boring and won't help me get anywere in life.

But i think these schools wouldn't suit all kid's and they way they learn.

[swordsman]

I've heard that US kids are the most educated in the world up until 3rd grade or so.

As for what kids would want to study, I think most of 'em want to be astronauts, firefighters, and presidents.

So they'd realte lessons to astronomy, politics and uh whatever has to do with fire fighting. And kids in K and pre-K are motivated. If they had a say that way it would stay.

[BioPro29]

You can't expect kids to make an educated decision about what they want to do if the don't have a well rounded education.

[scooterstyx]

definitely agree with lowrida... Like communism, but wouldnt work, especially not in elementary schools. Maybe high school so there wouldnt be requirements for science, math, etc if you want to be an english major in college. But even still, how many can actually say what they want to do for the rest of their life when they're 14?

[Frndlefire]

But even still, how many can actually say what they want to do for the rest of their life when they're 14?
I think they do it in some parts of asia. Maybe not 14, but really young.

[swordsman]

Allowing children to learn often brings to mind a kind of laissez-faire free-for-all in which tyrants of tender years terrorize well meaning but ineffectual adults. On the contrary, because we allow them to make their own decisions and feel the consequences of their actions, we are allowing children to develop as far as they can with as little impediment as possible and with only as much guidance as needed. Thus they learn to appreciate liberty, instead of craving license. They will not become savages because every child, from the time they are small, longs to join the world around them, to become like the people they see, to become competent adults.
...In practice, children at The New School are fully engaged in their own learning. For instance, should a student decide they want to study Biology and that, rather than working on their own, they would like a staff member to be involved in their enquiry, the first two questions the student must address are, why do they want to study Biology, and what do they mean by Biology? In the ensuing conversation between the student and staff member, the student is required to examine and articulate the student’s assumptions and objectives with someone who, being the more knowledgeable other, is intent on assisting only when truly needed in the child’s work of developing their understanding of Biology and their ability to think well. This dialectical exchange which will continue through the course of the student’s inquiry is the essence of The New School. ...The New School is a democratic entity. Every member of the community, staff and student alike, has one vote in the School Meeting, the weekly meeting at which all financial and legislative decisions are made. Proposals for expenditures, field trips, new laws, the hiring of additional staff, etc. are placed on the agenda for discussion and voting if they have been duly submitted in writing to the Recording Secretary. Many administrative positions at the school, either elected or voluntary, are held by students. School Meeting Chair, Recording Secretary, Judicial Clerk, Field Trip Coordinator, Attendance Clerk, Library Clerk, and Maintenance Clerk are administrative posts commonly filled by students.


In other words you guys are saying all people under 18 are incompetent to govern themselves in any way shape or form. Why these people want to give us a chance. WHy are you guys so headset against a new kind of school?


What there saying is learning like on Lacrosse Forums. There are few moderators who keep the peace but we mostly learn from subjects bought up by eachother and supplement articles. And since Lacrosse Forums is more or less an internet dem. school where minors govern other minors to learn (about lax in this case but it still applies) about a subject of choice.

Therefore in light of above evidence your objections are poppy-Bugs(I ment to say a word with a 'c' begining but apparently even in that sense it's a curse) .

[bloodilax977]

What there saying is learning like on Lacrosse Forums. There are few moderators who keep the peace but we mostly learn from subjects bought up by eachother and supplement articles. And since Lacrosse Forums is more or less an internet dem. school where minors govern other minors to learn (about lax in this case but it still applies) about a subject of choice.

Tell me this, if kids can start their own "threads" during classes, will they be helpful to the learning experience? You can not hold 1st graders responsible to study the correct subjects at their own will, no matter their intelligence.

As a 13 year old student, I must say, I could not trust most kids in my grade to pick classes that would actually do them any good.

**No flaming intended, just voicing an opinion**

[swordsman]

Tell me this, if kids can start their own "threads" during classes, will they be helpful to the learning experience? You can not hold 1st graders responsible to study the correct subjects at their own will, no matter their intelligence.

As a 13 year old student, I must say, I could not trust most kids in my grade to pick classes that would actually do them any good.

**No flaming intended, just voicing an opinion**

I bet you if you asked a kid in K or 1st grade what they want to learn they would ask terrific questions. Anyone ever have those moments where your younger sibling goes "can you teach me that big math your doing" or "read me this story" and they point to your history book or they ask "what's politics" or "what's that fire fighter whearing" or "why is fire orange" or "why's the sky blue" or "can you help me learn my letters" at points those random questions. now in a demorcratic school the teachere would help the students learn that not some lesson the school board picked for them.

Tell me would you rather do an independent study on Lacrosse or skating or ssnow tubing or something you got interested in from the news or have another day of old notes?

[moondog]

I set a "Democratic Ideal of Educational Equity" in the classroom. In my mind, no student is more important than anyone else, and I go out of my way to ensure everybody's involved, and everybody's opinions get across, through the rhetorical and/or open ended/opinionated questions or issues I pose or ask. I do everything I can to establish a Democratic COMMUNITY in my classrooms.

As far as Democratic CURRICULUM selection goes, that would work best at a private school and/or with honors/overachieving students that can/have already demonstrated the basic skills and fundamentals every high school graduate should have.

We read all about this stuff in college, but college curriculum/instruction professors are so liberal and idealist, it becomes out of touch. OR they are so conservative and fascist that they are forced to resign, because they are out of touch...(happened three times, #2 education school in U.S.)

[swordsman]

I have to say this wouldn't work out. Younger kids don't do their work unless they know they have to. All the children would choose art, even if they didn't like drawing or painting. Also, kids would be influenced and pressured by their friends to do the "popular" thing, whether they would need it in life or not. I don't think kids in elementary school are ready to pick classes that will help them with an occupation, considering most don't know any jobs besides "firefighter" and "pro sports player" yet. I think schools are working great the way they are now.

Yes, they'll choose what they decide is interesting. They 'pick' what they want to learn about by asking a fiend or teacher then deciding to research it.

Say they ask 'what's the difference between frog and toad?'
The Teacher will read to them, or if intrest peaks at the next School Assembly they'll get a trip of all the intrested students organized. Maybe they would talk about it more with interested children.

As far as sports are concerned isn't the reason why they are included in schools to begin with, it is an educational experiance? Then isn't OK for young kids to play games as learning methods?

[swordsman]

definitely agree with lowrida... Like communism, but wouldnt work, especially not in elementary schools. Maybe high school so there wouldnt be requirements for science, math, etc if you want to be an english major in college. But even still, how many can actually say what they want to do for the rest of their life when they're 14?

Click on the links!!!!!!!! It has nothing to do with what they want to be when they grow up!!!!!!!!! I poorly explained it when I said choose their classes!!!!!!!!! It's more revoluionary and better than that!!!!!!!!