What to Look for in a Classroom By Alfie Khon

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                    The article by Alfie Kohn titled "What to Look for in a Classroom" provides a chart that distinguishes between desirable and undesirable characteristics of a classroom environment. The chart is a useful tool for educators, administrators, and researchers who are interested in creating optimal learning environments for students. According to Kohn, the desirable characteristics of a classroom include active, engaged learning, a sense of community, emphasis on understanding over rote memorization, critical thinking, and intrinsic motivation, among others. These characteristics are more likely to lead to meaningful learning and long-term retention. 

      On the other hand, the undesirable characteristics of a classroom include passivity, competition, and extrinsic motivation, among others. These characteristics are more likely to lead to superficial learning and a focus on grades over understanding. Kohn argues that educators and administrators who prioritize the desirable characteristics and minimize the undesirable ones can create classrooms that foster meaningful learning and promote long-term student success.

       Kohn's chart is based on a humanistic and constructivist approach to education. This approach emphasizes the importance of active learning, critical thinking, and a sense of community in the classroom. It also emphasizes the role of intrinsic motivation, which is the internal desire to learn and explore, rather than external rewards and punishments.






Comments

  1. Tiaja G.October 13, 2024 at 4:06 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Tiaja G.October 13, 2024 at 4:13 PM

    You did a really nice job with highlighting the desirable and undesirable characteristics of the classroom and why it's crucial to have a set up that balances out the social interactions.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Olivia HarrisOctober 13, 2024 at 4:28 PM

    I really liked how you highlighted the differences between what Kohn highlights as favorable versus what Kohn marks as detrimental to creating an effective learning environment.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Michelina IronsOctober 13, 2024 at 7:25 PM

    I like how you included both the ideal characteristics of a classroom, and what we do not want in an ideal classroom. This helps us understand what we should avoid and what we should include when creating our future classrooms.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ms. Moreau's Literacy BlogOctober 13, 2024 at 7:47 PM

    I love your comparison of what a classroom is vs what it is not and I think all of these parts are so important for the classroom culture of learning and teaching!

    ReplyDelete
  6. JoanmarieOctober 18, 2024 at 5:47 PM

    I like how you described how undesirable characteristics tend to promote superficial learning and how you made the distinction between that and actual learning.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dr. Joyce StevosOctober 30, 2024 at 6:44 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Olivia TetreaultDecember 10, 2024 at 1:58 PM

    I liked how you compared good as well as undesirable classroom setups as well as being able to see examples of each in the photos :)

    ReplyDelete

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