We teachers – perhaps all human beings – are in the grip of an astonishing delusion. We think that we can take a picture, a structure, a working model of something, constructed in our minds out of long experience and familiarity, and by turning that model into a string of words, transplant it whole into … Continue reading We Are in the Grip of an Astonishing Delusion John Holt
If we continually try to force a child to do what he is afraid to do, he will become more timid, and will use his brains and energy, not to explore the unknown, but to find ways to avoid the pressures we put on him. Credit: John Holt Quotations: John HoltDon’t Try to Force a … Continue reading Don’t Try to Force a Child to Do What He Is Afraid to Do John Holt
Most conferences are a series of PowerPoint talks interspersed by the occasional panel discussion. The audience gets a little time to ask questions, but they get absolutely no time to reflect or interact with each other besides in the coffee breaks or over lunch. Not allowing time for conversation is a missed opportunity for the … Continue reading Conversational Conferences In a conversational conference, the dominant style of presentation is the conversational talk