A Classroom Of Their Choosing By Alfie Kohn Summary

A critical review of ‘A Classroom Of Their Choosing’ : Alfie Kohn

American author and lecturer, Alfie Kohn has published various books on the issues of education highlighting teaching styles, classroom behaviours, homework, standardized testing, etc., while challenging the traditional classroom environment. Kohn’s work is centred around the belief that students should have an active voice in the classroom with the ability to create a consequential impact on the curriculum, structure of the classroom and any disciplinary measures. The ideal classroom according to Kohn is that in which curiosity and collaboration is given prominence above everything else and students’ curiosity should govern what is taught in the classroom.

In the chapter, ‘A

He emphasises on ‘Class Meetings’ to allow students to set up their own class rules and in this manner create a sense of responsibility. Kohn has accentuated on reflections on decision making by students during class meetings, by building on trust through listening to students’ needs, being consistent in giving students the option to create their own solutions, providing them with resources and support for their ideas and showing appreciation for students that build student leadership and community. This is important because for students, who have been told for years what to do, find it difficult to deal with autonomy when they are given a chance. Here, however, I feel that if the teacher is not equipped well enough to transmit autonomy to students or is an inexperienced teacher or is ineffective in classroom management while students are given the liberty to make decisions, the students may have a negative perception of the role of a teacher. For the section of vulnerable students with weaker assertiveness and belligerence, whose voice is not heard above the many, it can be nerve-wracking and intimidating as some prefer the solution to be served on a platter.

In order for an autonomy supportive classroom to be successful, it is imperative that a certain ethos be established early and maintained throughout. The teacher needs to have a clear instructional goal which he/she needs to transmit to the students keeping the discussion focused and making sure that enough reasonable discussions are taking place. However, not all teachers are equipped with the capability to foster an autonomous environment, especially teachers who are accustomed to old school methods and the traditional way of teaching and learning. Therefore an important aspect of consideration lacking in Kohn’s article is educating teachers on the skills and attitudes required to promote and cultivate an independent, self-directed and autonomous atmosphere through teacher training