Conversations of Teaching:Peter E. Pflaum - Golden Globe - The Synergy Network
http://www.wiredbrain.net/  Pflaump@wiredbrain.com



	I have been in the classroom since the early 1960's. I have always sought to have an active group. The joy of teaching is creating excitement, to turn the class on. Student doing things on their own, because of their own interests and taking initiative is my overall goal.

	My main worry about schooling is the students are passive. It's a kind of institutional dulness. Children and young adult who are lively and smart in other circumstances are flat and boring in class. 

	I use group methods - the class is divided into groups and have tasks to complete together. I try to hold down "Teacher Talk" after years of trying to be an interesting and engaging instructor. My own concept of my role has changed not without difficulty. The student are off doing their thing and I am not in charge. I read their reports and help in the ongoing process of discovery, giving what I hope is positive feedback and advice.

	Employment and international competition require self- motivated and active people. The factory model of our schools is not only expensive and inefficient it maybe doing harm. I am coming to believe that like some other institutions they can not be restructured but closed. Shock therapy it's call in the ex-communist countries. They have the same problem of lack of initiative. People can solve problems if they have a belief in themselves and their community and a positive attitude. 
 
	This is not a new idea but a repeat of some of the thinking of the 60's. (John Holt, Deschooling America, Teaching as a Subversive Activity, etc.) John Dewey put his mark on most of the issues at the turn of the century. One social purpose of compulsory education was making Americans out of immigrant children. The school looked like a factory and produced factory workers. Then in the 60's they began to look like IBM offices. Now they should look like a research laboratories or computer centers with work stations and task force groups.

	Am I the only one who notices that the Emperor has no clothes.