Teachers gaming the system? Teach to test is failing children | New report | #Feldenkrais had some good points. #education

Our Somatics in the School work group is getting closer to our kick-off workshop at Xavier University.  We take time each meeting to discuss the necessary dance between organic learning and formalized education. We are striving to answer: How can an appropriate balance between the two be struck so that we can advance society while growing healthy and contented children.

Moshe Feldenkrais defined two types of learning in his work. 

One that emerged organically and lasted as long as the learner kept at it and was done for the sake of the learner's own pleasure and thriving.  This approach tends to have low emotional tone to it because the child is completely in charge and therefore very little anxiety or life-long compulsions are developed as a result 

The second type of learning is where an adult is involved through cheering, coaching, punishment,  or fear and is guiding or providing the goal/curriculum.  Here the adult brings forward an intense emotional tone and the child strives to learn that which the teacher or parent is so interested in even if the child is missing major building blocks to sustain it.  The primary task now is pleasing the adult by fulfilling the adult's needs.  

This second type of learning is not in and of itself bad and in fact has some very important and necessary components.  Used consciously and judiciously, it helps a child and society a great deal.  But when it becomes the primary form of learning and used unconsciously it has major drawbacks.  

Panel Finds Few Learning Gains From Testing Movement

A new review of the decade long drive in schools towards accountability programs is showing some dismal results.  Or from a Feldenkrais Method  point of view, some rather predictable results.  Adults too are subject to being driven by high emotional tone--raises or loss of job certainly raises the ante for any teacher.  Thus teaching to test has apparently become the the net-effect.  The teacher is learning to "game the system".  The child is learning to please the teacher.  The net effect?  Both teacher and child are left wanting at the end.

At least that is my take.  What is yours?

submitted by Cynthia Allen