The Atlanta Journal Constitution – Maureen Downey
“When I ask adolescents what they dislike about school, they seldom mention testing or homework. A common and surprising answer: They resent classes where learning is disrupted and time is wasted. While a rash of cellphone videos of school fights would have us believe students are ducking punches and chairs in class, it’s more mundane disruptions that undermine their learning on a regular basis, according to teens. In the last few weeks, I’ve talked to several groups of students who outline the same scenario: Teachers don’t intervene when students commandeer classroom discussions or divert them. Repeatedly, students told me they could learn twice as much in half the time if teachers rein in their rambling peers.”(more)