Giving students control can be very difficult. Students can sometimes take control of a teacher who gives them too much control. A teacher is looked as the authority figure in a classroom, and if the students are given too much control they can become disruptive and too "big-headed" because of the control they have been given. Also, if the students are given too much control they can think they know everything, and take instruction from the teacher lightly, leading to the belief of incorrect information. Handing over some control to the students can be used beneficially by assigning group work for certain topics and having each group become an "expert" on the topic. At the end of the allotted time, each group will teach the class their part of the topic, ensuring that everyone understands the whole thing.
During math lessons, my teacher followed a very strict process. After being presented with the topic (teacher controlled) the students were allowed guided practice time where they were allowed to collaborate with fellow students (student controlled). Finally, they had individual learning time where they were not allowed to collaborate and the teacher was grading their progress (teacher controlled).
The students will feel more passionately about the student controlled work, and take more responsibility for the strides they made. Teacher controlled lessons tend to have a less excited feel from the students. I feel that more progress is made with student controlled lessons because of the passion and credit they take for the work.
I agree that there would be a line in which the students could have too much control...but where would that line be? When would you say the students have too much control?
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I feel like the putting the students in groups or small working tables is the best way to give students some control in the classroom. If the students get out of hand you can always take their control and power away without disturbing the whole class
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