I believe there are two main types of classrooms in modern education…a control-centered classroom and a learning-centered classroom. The differences between these are stark!
Control-Centered Classroom
- Power – “obey me”
- Authority based
- Structure is the priority (standards, schedule, quiet, clean room)
- Order is key
- Learning to meet standards
- Teach the subject
- The group matters
- Do it the teacher’s way
- Strict atmosphere
- Routine is the goal
- Rigid
- Students adjust to the teacher
- Correction
- “Watch me and listen to me”
- Child is sacrificed to preserve order
Learning-Centered Classroom
- Persuade – “follow me”
- Relationship based
- Student is the priority (progress, growth, support)
- Results matter
- Learning to grow as a whole person
- Teach children
- Individuals matter
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Routine is a tool
- Flexible
- Teacher adjusts to meet the child’s needs
- Connection
- “I see you and hear you”
- Order is sacrificed to save the child
What type of classroom do you have? At The Edison School, we create learning-centered classrooms.