The Open Classroom: A Practical Guide to a New Way of Teaching

by Herbert R. Kohl

Handbook for teachers who want to work in an open environment presents workable alternatives to authoritarian classroom structuring

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching

116 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Educator best known for his advocacy of progressive alternative education and as the author of more than thirty books on education. He founded the 1960s Open School movement and is credited with coining the term "open classroom."

Reviews

[Oriyah N · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an interesting read. Being that it was written in the late 60's, it's relevance to today is not as pertinent as it was in its time. At the same time, I think it does have something to contribute to today's educators, and, while taking it within its context, should be on the MUST READ list for anyone studying education.

Kohl wrote this book as an attempt to revolutionize the schools and teaching styles of his time. He introduced new and radical concepts that were in stark contrast with the very rigid and narrow styles of education that existed in that period. Much of what he suggested has since been incorporated, and is still being incorporated, into the educational system. At the same time, it seems that his theories of the ideal school were merely in reaction to what was the status quo at the time - he didn't fully think through the ramifications of his ideals. For example, he stresses the importance of not enforcing a curriculum on the students. He seems to suggest creating an environment rife with learning opportunities, then allowing the students to educate themselves through their own interest and motivation, the teacher acting as a sort of facilitator and casual role model. What he describes seems to be a sort of intense microcosm of the world at large. He doesn't seem to place enough attention or focus to the idea that school is meant to ensure that students have basic skills in areas such as spelling, grammar, and math - only a brief mention of this comes too little and too late (in my opinion) at the end of the book.

Kohl was clearly leaping off of the existing extreme of his time, and attempting to get to the other extreme. I am curious as to whether he published after this work, and how his views changed both as he saw his ideals unfold in certain school settings and as he watched society evolve.

Regardless of the efficacy of his overall ideal, I think this work should be treated as a classic. He certainly brings up points that would shake up the accepted knowledge and expectations of anyone who deals with children. I would consider this book a must-read for any critically thinking parents, teachers, teachers-in-training, and administrators.

[Ms. McDonald]

I read this book a few years ago, when I first began teaching in high school and stopped teaching college. This book is great for college teaching, but in no way useful for any other grades. The problem with it is the fact that it was written in the 1970s, during the postmodern movement and advocated that children should be in charge of what they learn. I can understand this in certain respects, but coming into the classroom on the first day and having the students create guidelines for everything, from the rules to what they want to learn to how they should be graded is ridiculous and near impossible. I attempted to do this in private school, wherein I simply had the students set up their consequences and the days on which they would receive a quiz. It turned into a giant fiasco, and the students were still arguing about everything right through the 3rd quarter. I have since discovered that students CRAVE structure and constantly look towards the teacher for guidance and knowledge. Where they take that knowledge or how they apply it towards their work or life is where, I believe, the "open classroom" can essentially fit. Thus, I believe that one should read this book for ideas, but more so to gauge themselves on WHAT NOT TO DO... Especially when classroom practices are being established.

[Antoniolarsongmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent starting point for breaking down authoritarian and soul poisoning classroom control.

I'll try to add more comments later