OPEN EDUCATION

When people give their opinión about something, they give their feelings about the subject. In an opinión, a person says either that he or she likes an idea  or thing, or she or he does not like it, and says why. This essay gives an opinión about open education. First, a definition of open education will be given. Then, some of the good things about open education and some of the bad things about open education will be described. And then, an opinión will be given. You may agree with the opinión, or not. You may agree with the opinión partly. You will have your own opinión.

This look at open education has two parts. The first part has to do with how the teacher feels about the students. The second part has to do with what the teacher does in the classroom. Each part of the definition can be explained by comparing open education with traditional education.

In traditional education, the teacher may feel that the students are not very grown up. Usually, teachers are older than students, and teachers feel that students are young and do not know very much about the world. The teachers feel that they must tell the students what to do mast of the time, and that they must make the students study specific things. In open education, the teacher’s feelings are very different. These teachers feel that the students are individuals first, and students second. They expect the students to be responsible for the things that they do, just as adults are. A student’s ideas and feelings are just as important as the teacher’s. The teacher allows the students to decide what they want to do, and does not make them study specific subjects or things. The teacher lets them decide what to study and how much to study. It is very important for the teacher to show how he or she feels about the students. 

The second part of the idea of open education has to do with what the teacher does in the classroom. In the tradicional classroom, the students are cold what to do. There is a list of things that the students must do to finish the class. There are rules made by the teacher that the student must follow, even if the student sees no reason for the rules. In open education, the teacher allows the students to choose what to do. They may study, or talk, or do nothing at all if they want to. There are no specific things for the students to do. There are no traditional rules made by the teacher. The only rules in an open classroom are rules for everyone’s safety. The students are allowed to discover subjects in the open classroom, instead of being made to study them. Open education is a really complex idea.

There are some very good things about open education. This way of teaching allows the students to grow as people and to develop their own interests in many subjects. Open education allows students to be responsible for their own education, as they are responsible for what they do in life. Some students do badly in a traditional classroom. The open classroom may allow them to enjoy learning. Some students will be happier in an open education school. They will not have to worry about grades or rules. For students who worry about these things a lot, it is a good idea to be  in an open classroom.

But many students will not do well in an open classroom. For some students, there are too few rules. These students will do little in school. They will not make good use of open education. Because open education is so different  from traditional education, these students may have a problem getting used to making so many choices. For many students it is important to have some rules in the classroom. They worry about the rules even when there are no rules. Even a few rules will help this kind of student. The last point about open education is that some traditional teachers do not like it. Many teachers do not believe in open education. Teachers who want to have an open classroom may have many problems at their schools.

You now know what open education is. Some of its good points and bad points have been explained. You may have your own opinión about open education. The writer thinks that open education is a good idea, but only in theory. In actual fact, it may not work very well in a real class or school. The writer believes that most students, but of course not all students, want some structure in their classes. They want and need to have rules. In some cases, they must be made to study some subjects. Many students are pleased to find subjects they have to study interesting. They would not study those subjects if they did not have to.

Some of the ideas of open education can be applied very easily. The teacher’s feelings about the students can be changed in any kind  of class. The teacher’s, feelings are important to the students. The teacher can apply some of the ideas of open education to a class easily. But changing the way the classroom is run is more difficult to do.

The writer thinks that some of the ideas of open education are very good, but that some are not good, and that it is hard to do some of the things open education suggests. Several ideas of open  education as a different way of teaching students and a different way of running a class have been given. Some of the good and bad points about open education have been mentioned. The author has given one opinión about open education. What is your opinión?

EXERCISES

1_ What is your opinión?

My opinion of the open education allows students to be responsible for their own education.

2_ Define open education.

Allows the students to grow as people and to develop their own interests in many subjects.

3_  Explain two ways that open education is different from traditional education.

Open education, the teacher’s feelings are very different They expect the students to be responsible for the things that they do.

Open education, the teacher allows the students to choose what to do.

4_ Why is open education a good idea?

The open classroom may allow them to enjoy learning.

5_ Name some other problems of open education.

The writer believes that most students, want some structure in their classes.

6_ What does the author think of open education?

The writer thinks that open education is a good idea, but only in theory. In actual fact, it may not work very well in a real class or school.

7_ Why is it hard to apply the ideas of open education?

They want and need to have rules.

8_ What ideas of open education may be easy to apply?

The teacher can apply some of the ideas of open education to a class easily. But changing the way the classroom is run is more difficult to do.