Re: Problem Based Learning

David R. Russell (drrussel who-is-at iastate.edu)
Thu, 27 May 1999 14:33:38 -0500

The late James Britton, developer of so much that is good about literacy
education in England, had a nice if unweildy phrase that indicated the
'negotiated teaching' he strove for: "Teacher-and-student-centered
learning"

That captures nicely for me the unit of analysis that I think Dewey
outlines in Experience in Education, where he criticizes the excesses of
his more romantic followers who ignored the importance of the historical
experience embedded in academic disciplines.

In my more cynical moments, I think that much teaching and learning in many
public schools these days might better be termed "school-board-centered
learning," or "educational-consulting-firm-centered learning," as the
primary object and motive lies beyond THE classroom, in satisfying the
demands of other more powerful stakeholders.

David

David R. Russell
Professor
English Department
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011 USA
(515) 294-4724
Fax (515) 294-6814
drrussel who-is-at iastate.edu