A major similarity in the way teachers carry out instruction is the use of passive learning. Rather than treating students individually or as groups during instruction, teachers often refer to the classroom as a whole because it maintains order in a classroom. Students are expected to listen to dictated instruction and answer questions rather than plan and initiate. Studies show how the classroom is more controlled through passive learning but may also limit the learning process for children to a use of mechanical skills suck as punctuation instead of conceptual skills. Studies also show that such patterns increase with grade level. Although contemporary goals for classroom education, organization and objectives prefer the use of active learning, passive learning is still continuously used.
A major reason why teachers continuously use passive instruction is the need to maintain order. Before teaching a lesson, teachers must have students attend classes, stay in them, and pay attention. Passive learning provides an easy method of maintaining order. Students can attend class and pretend to pay attention when in reality they can be ignoring the teacher completely. Even if this is the case, it is not easily notable by the teacher. Students prefer to listen to a teacher rather than work actively because it is easier. Walter Doyle (1983) wrote students can “resist the amount of output they give to a teacher to minimize the risk of exposing mistake.” Students are required to think critically and independently when they are involved in active learning. They can sit back and simply listen to and write information given by the teacher rather than analyzing it. In low-income societies, students and teachers may compromise with students by exchanging easy coursework and ignorance of lack of effort with good behavior.
Teachers are most familiar with passive learning and there is a need for classrooms to conform to society. It is the traditional form of instruction they are accustomed to, making them most comfortable with it. More specifically, when under stress teachers will tend to behave in comfortable manners. Passive learning within the classroom exemplifies social institutions outside the school. It is helpful for a successful career because students are required to follow specific routines and regulation. Jackson (2000) summarizes “It is expected that children will adapt to the teachers authority by becoming ‘good workers’ and ‘model students.’” Becoming a “good worker” is transitioned into a career.
Word Count: 396
