What is a teacher’s role in the classroom and how do students learn best?

In this episode, Naomi and Ian are joined by Daniel Buck, teacher, Senior Visiting Fellow at the Fordham Institute, and author of the new book, “What Is Wrong with Our Schools?” Daniel describes the philosophy of education, beginning with the classical view that teachers are the authorities in the classroom and their primary role is to transmit knowledge to their students. Starting in the 1960s, though, progressive educators Henry Giroux and Paulo Freire popularized the idea that teachers are merely guides, helping students on a path of self-discovery.

Freire’s philosophy is dominant in K-12 education today, with teachers and administrators seeing teaching as a fundamentally oppressive task. This has led to innovations liked “project-based learning” or the “flipped classroom” where the student is encouraged to explore what already interests them. Not only do these strategies fail to impart important information to students, they also leave many students frustrated. Evidence suggests that students need structure, guidance, and a knowledge-based approach in order to succeed academically.

Resources:

• What Is Wrong With Our Schools? The ideology impoverishing education in America and how we can do better for our students | Daniel Buck | John Catt Educational

• Teach for America Needs to Focus on Teaching | Naomi Schaefer Riley | Deseret News

Show Notes:

• 01:30 | How was the flipped classroom supposed to help kids?

• 05:00 | What is wrong with our schools?

• 07:30 | Is educating someone an oppressive task?

• 15:30 | Student-centered learning advantages affluent children

• 17:10 | What are the empowering alternatives?