Walk into most classrooms these days and you are likely to see a teacher monopolizing class discussion. Most schools remain largely autocratic even though democratically run schools tend to have fewer discipline problems, greater civic involvement, higher student engagement, and higher achievement.
Classrooms with predominantly one-way communication keep students silent. When students are allowed to share in the decision-making process and in constructing knowledge, their teachers begin to think of them more as individuals and become more committed to their success.
Giving students a voice requires more than asking for comments and feedback. Students can help plan the curriculum. For instance, before beginning a unit, students might share what they already know about the topic, what they hope to learn, how they will find the information to answer their questions, and how they will assess their own progress. This type of participation avoids unnecessary repetition, which is particularly frustrating for gifted students. This method of instruction also promotes students’ engagement, exploration, and reflection and thus maximizes their learning.
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