What are the issues surrounding democratic decision-making in the classroom? My context is a grade eleven French class planning a unit final task related to international cuisine. I have not finished the process, but so far I observe the following:
a. Students initially persist in asking ME what is expected even though I have given the decision-making over to them.
b. I have spent 70 minutes instead of 10 setting up the evaluation criteria.
c. They came up with great ideas I would not have considered.
d. The second day (today) a few students were asking me if they could have a copy of the evaluation guide sheet even though we were still working with a draft and final decisions about percentages had not yet been discussed.
e. Students seem comfortable with voting on options presented and letting the majority rule.
f. The process is noisier and a few students love to offer their creative ideas.
g. Impractical ideas presented by fellow students are detected and voted down.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
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