Control Theory in the Classroom

by William Glasser

Arguing that too many capable students make little or no effort to learn, the author advocates the use of control theory for a productive classroom model of team learning with emphasis on satisfaction and excitement.

Genres: Education, Psychology

144 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glasser's views on education mesh with those of several other authors I admire. He agrees with Daniel Pink that people's main motivators are autonomy, mastery, and purpose (though he calls them power and importance). He agrees with Randy Pausch that learning to work as a team is just as important as learning material. The book does contain some glaring flaws. Glasser doesn't seem to understand Pavlov's theory (he says the dogs "choose" to drool); he thinks dyslexia is students being "creative" in order to distract adults from their failure at learning to read. Nonetheless, it's a good, quick read that got me thinking about how to use learning teams in my classroom.

[Justin Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting read about how to fix our school's. Some really good points but doesn't take our sinful nature into account enough.

[Missy Bowen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Older version of Choice Theory in the Classroom. Don't bother with this one...Read the updated.