Different Education Models

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Democratic School

The benefit of the democratic school model is that students are able to be themselves. They are not stressed or overworked like students who attend public school. Students who attend a democratic school are able to experience freedom and learn by doing what inspires them. Democratic schools also put the individual student needs at the heart of the school and the learning.

Yes, I agree with some parts of the model, but not all. I agree that students learn best when they are doing things that interest them. I also agree that younger kids learn better from older kids. We have read that students learn best when they are excited about a topic, but that doesn’t mean students should be able to create their own curriculum.

I don’t believe this model will work for all students. I don’t believe that all students will build confidence and independence by attending a democratic school. Some students need guidance, structure, routine and a role model in order to build that confidence and independence.

I personally would not put my child through this model. I believe in structure, routine and academics. I don’t agree with giving all the power to the students. Students shouldn’t be able to decide when and what they’d like to learn.


Pedagogy of the Oppressed

I found this model to be complex and confusing to follow along. The education setting is co-intentional education. Both the teacher and student co-intent in reality. The role of the teacher is to be the researcher together with the student. The banking concept is horrible. Students have no say and there is no discussion or communication. Students just listened and stored the information given to them by their teacher.

I don’t agree with this model because it doesn’t focus on curriculum, standards, parent involvement. There doesn’t seem to be any kind of structure or classroom instruction. Freire’s idea was for oppressed should resolve their own conflicts and the pedagogy leads them to their own liberation.

I would not put my child through this model because Freire doesn’t focus on producing higher academic success for students. It’s a very narrow view of education. He is so focused on critical perception of the world and the teaching for social justice. There is so much more that children need to learn in order to be successful.

Flipped Classroom

Some of the benefits of a flipped classroom is that students are able to master what they learn through collaboration and discussions. Students become active participants in the learning process. Flipped classroom also allows students that can’t attend class to be able to participate since the classes take place often online and outside of the classroom setting.

I agree with some parts of the model. I like how the flipped classroom allows students to master skills through collaboration projects and discussions instead of students memorizing something and forgetting it a week later.

Flipped classroom may not work for all students and families financially if technology is needed.
Some students may also not do well with self directed learning setting and need more of a guidance setting.

I personally would not place my children in this learning environment. Some subjects are more difficult than others and trying to learn the topic online would be a challenge for some.


Montessori

The benefits of the Montessori setting is that it’s a mixed aged classroom. Much of the Montessori experience is hands-on. Younger students are able to learn from older students. The classroom environment is different from a public school setting.

I agree with some parts of this model. Montessori provides freedom to the students within limits. The environment in which the children learn provides them with independence. Students are able to learn real life skills that they wouldn’t normally learn in the public school system.

Something that may not work for all students in this setting is that the materials and activities are only available during different development stages.

My children actually went to a Montessori school for two years. The education focused on child-centered learning. Children were encouraged to go at their own pace, work collaboratively and individually and spent time working on project they enjoyed. Teachers guide them through the learning process and a lot of observations are taken by teachers. Unfortunately, I had to pull my children out of school for financial reasons.

Waldorf

The benefit of the Waldorf teaching is that inspires creativity and helps students find their passion. It also allows students to think about problems differently.

I agree that it’s nice to be at a school that allows children to learn at their own pace. They also agree with interacting with real people in real time instead of screen time, but this can also be an issue.

I don’t agree that Waldorf does not pursue academic instruction before the age of seven. I believe these are the most important years for young children to e learning and developing their skills. I also don’t agree with the fact that students are not taught to read until the first grade. You also have the same teacher for eight years. I think children can benefit from having different teachers. Every teacher has a different learning style.

Technology is not used for instruction purposes. You may see a student taking apart a computer to see how it works but you wouldn’t see a student using a computer for academic purposes.

Glen Urquhart

Glen Urquhart teaches students to explore, discover and be their best. They also teach their students about respect and to respect all people.

I agree with GUS’s model. Classroom sizes are small which allow a student/teacher ratio to remain low. Students are able to have discussions and collaborate will their peers. GUS also provides different ways of learning to help all students to be successful.

I would absolutely send my children to GUS, but financially it would not be possible.

Technology


Technology can help both students and teachers to be successful. Technology could be used to blend these different models in the classroom. Students can learn to do research on-line and learn to create tutorials which will help them go beyond the physical reach of their teacher. Technology allows students to think and collaborate instead of memorizing. All students should have access to technology in the classroom.