Comments on: 3 Things Wrong With The Rewards System

By: Anderson

Anderson — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 06:17:48 +0000

Hey Tobi,
I really enjoyed your comment. I think you got to the heart of the issue: new, better ways of relating to and organizing children in your classroom aren’t possible because of the systemic problems in schools.

I can’t really offer any advice, but I think you might enjoy my audio post about group learning. You can listen here: http://www.chinarchy.com/2010/06/against-group-learning-2/

By: Tobi

Tobi — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 01:53:07 +0000

I, too, enjoyed reading your comments. It was refreshing to read pure, unrestrained comments and criticism. However, what are we to do with those students who don’t have the conversations with their parents (aka teachers), as Kirsten mentioned? Those who don’t even see their parent(s) or eat a meal with them? Also, I would love to have conversations with students and really get to know them, but with over 25 in my class, more duties during the work day, furlough days, no pay raises, blah, blah, blah, I cannot physically or mentally find the time to do this. Sure, some of my lessons could use a little more excitement, but there is something to be said about reading from the text – which is the form in which my school system assesses student learning. I also don’t agree with it being all my fault. Society, tv, video games, single parent households, etc. are out of my control. Instead of using the behavior charts, I’d prefer to use other students as role models so the “lessons” learned could be more geared toward real world expectations. Still, using the charts in class coupled with home interventions can be very successful – you know the whole village thing.
Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to “vent” and add my comments to a topic I struggle with every day.

By: Anderson

Anderson — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:37:12 +0000

Thanks for the comment Kirsten. I’m glad you enjoyed the article

I’d love to hear what you think about some of the other teaching related pieces.

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 01:26:40 +0000

Wow, is it refreshing to read an article like this. Thanks for pointing out that a reward encourages obedience–just as punishment does! And you’re right, a good teacher doesn’t need a reward system. My parents made plenty of mistakes with my siblings and me, but they were good teachers. When my mother taught me to read and write, when my father taught me to swim, and whenever either of my parents held a friendly two-way conversation with me, I needed no other “discipline.” Thanks for reminding me.

By: Heiko Cochius

Heiko Cochius — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:22:03 +0000

Very insightful article. I believe it is hard as hell to work in a system that is designed to produce obedience and have the attitudes and insights about the system that you have. I probably would not be able to do it.

By: Anderson

Anderson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:56:24 +0000

Thanks!

By: MaikUniversum

MaikUniversum — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:55:19 +0000

Great article.

By: Anderson

Anderson — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:32:28 +0000

Thanks guys! I was wondering what you would think of it, Nate, after seeing your PET post on facebook.

Glad you enjoyed it. I’m definitely going to write a lot more on this subject. I think it’s far more complex then I indicated in this post.

By: Robby

Robby — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:24:47 +0000

Great read and message.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:39:47 +0000

Brilliant post! Man LLC needs writers like you.

By: First days in my new profession | It's Always Sunny In South Korea

First days in my new profession | It's Always Sunny In South Korea — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:39:59 +0000

[...] have star charts, but the more I thought about it, the less I was inclined to use mine. This great post from Chinarchy, a blog written by two English teachers in China, explains some of the negatives of [...]