an online book by David Gurteen
John Holt was an American educator and author known for his advocacy of homeschooling and his critical views on traditional schooling methods. He believed in self-directed learning and empowering children to explore their interests and curiosity.
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 Books: 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
Introduction: Participatory Conferences Conversational Talks Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Most conferences are a series of PowerPoint talks interspersed by the occasional panel discussion. The audience has little time to ask questions, but they have no time to reflect or interact with each other besides during the coffee breaks or over lunch. Not … Continue reading Conversational Conferences In a conversational conference, the dominant style of presentation is the conversational talk
