Comparison Between Traditional Education and Montessori Education in U.S - Research Paper Example

? Comparison between Traditional Education and Montessori Education in U.S Comparison between Traditional Education and Montessori Education in U.S Introduction Education in the United States of American has been witnessing significant and radical transformation in the last few decades. Despite the experienced changes in the training context, education sector has also observed a considerable transformation in its structure and organisation. Although traditional education had considerable level of benefits, the emerging social and economic changes have forced the country to embrace Montessori education (Madeleine, 2012). The new ideas have also resulted to the integration of individuals and ideas from different professionals and cultural background in the sector. New ideas have also been effectively included in the system resulting to a more attractive and encouraging system. Despite being among the most productive systems in modern economy, the system has some disturbing shortfalls and challenges. Comparison between the operations in traditional education system and Montessori education in the U.S will be useful in understanding the most productive and inclusive system to apply in United States of America education system (Christopher, 2005). Benefits of Montessori Education in the U.S As opposed to traditional education where teachers select the learning pace on behaviour of the children, the Montessori education gives children an opportunity to identify their own learning pace. The selection of individual learning pace plays a vital role in improving the level of education in the United States learning institutions. Involving children in making decisions on matters such as their learning pace therefore ensure that children are responsible for their action in future. In addition, children are trained on the most effective means of making informative decisions that have a considerable level of impact on their future activities and development. Unlike traditional education where teachers enforce lesson plans on students, Montessori education allows children to be free in discovering and exploring their own lessons. An opportunity to select topics that meet their interest helps in improving children performance and in enhancing the selection of individual career choices. Granting students an opportunity to explore and discover their lessons also offers learners the required skills of conducting constructive researches and evaluations. As opposed to traditional education in the United States where children do not have control over their future career, Montessori education gives children an opportunity to make informed and constructive decisions on their future careers (Martin, 2012). Cons of Montessori education in U.S As opposed to traditional education where disorderly conducts are regarded as children faults, Montessori education holds the perception that misconduct in class is the fault of teachers. Under this system, teachers are expected to adjust their approaches to address children misconducts in class and in school environment. Although in this system teacher are denied an opportunity of making decision on behalf of their children, they are forced to take responsibility of the students’ unacceptable behaviours. The act of compelling teachers to take responsibility of children unacceptable behaviours therefore kills the morale of teachers in undertaking their core obligation. In addition, the system denies children an opportunity of taking the responsibility of the actions thus increasing the level of impunity among students. Contrary to traditional education, Montessori education is characterised by endless disturbance and conflicts between teachers and children. Through this method, there is no distinctive separation between the role and powers of the teachers and the responsibility of students, creating conflicts of interests in classroom settings. Due to their excessive control, children undermine the contribution and powers of teachers thus posing a serious in the managing classroom activities. Clear description of the role of teachers in classroom as well as students responsibility will be of critical importance in improving the quality of education in modern learning institutions as well as generating a sense of responsibility among children (Jane and Barbara, 2007). Benefits of Traditional Method Unlike the Montessori education, traditional education allows teachers and administrators to set the school curriculum. Through this innovation, teachers use their experience and competence in selecting the most reliable materials to be used in educating the children. Giving teachers and school administrators an opportunity to make such decisions on behalf of children is essential in improving the quality of education in modern learning institutions. The setting of school curriculum by teachers as well granting teachers a chance to select the most reliable learning materials is also vital in reducing unnecessary wastage of time and resources. The traditional education in U.S has also been praised for saving both time and resources. As opposed to Montessori education where a lot of time is consumed in making decisions, the process of making decisions in traditional education is effective and faster thus saving precious academic time. Involving small team in making decisions on behave of students is also a constructive means of making decisions especially in modern demanding economy. The system also gives teachers the powers of practising the mandate of making decisions on behave of children (Margaret, 2007). Cons of Traditional Method Under the traditional education students are only expected to follow teachers’ guidelines and instructions without making decisions on issues that affect their future careers. This act is contrary to Montessori education where teachers are expected to offer guidance to students and encourage them to act and think according to their own knowledge and perception on emerging issues. Denying students an opportunity to make decisions on emerging issues has detrimental effects on children’s growth and development. In traditional education, children are only expected to follow their teachers’ instructions with limited contribution on the already concluded idea. To prosper in modern integrative and complicated society, children need to be given the required opportunity of participating in making decisions that affects their lives. Moreover, contrary to Montessori education where children are free to move around the class and contribute freely in class activities, in traditional education settings, children are expected to keep quiet and listen. Children are expected to talk only when they are called upon to ask question or answer to teachers’ questions. Denying children to make contribution in class activities does not only make the class activities boring to children but it also lowers students performance both in class activities and in other co-curriculum activities (Gandhi, 2010). The Most Appropriate Way The Montessori education is the most effective systems in developed countries such as United States of America. Although, the traditional has proved to be productive in bringing sanity in America learning institutions, the system has proved unproductive in offering children the required freedom of participating in modelling their lives. Considering the modern economic trend, all participants should be granted equal opportunity in decision-making process. However, despite the recognition of team work in decision making process, the systems has by large denied children the fundamental rights of making constructive decisions. Montessori education in U.S is also useful in modern learning institution as it recognises the children sensitive to learning and development period. Children have the opportunity to choose the most appropriate time to take a break out of their normal activities as well as the most reliable time of participating in class activities. The adoption of the most appropriate break time does not only help in improving students’ performance but also helps in improving students’ participation in class activities. Through Montessori education in United States of America, children are granted a sense of order and responsibility. Children are trained on how to take the responsibility of their actions without compromising the activities and operations of others. By adopting the system, children are also involved in making decision on the most appropriate time of making informed decisions that aims at transforming society social and economic fortunes. Montessori education is also designed to advance and promote self-correction and self-education. Contrary to traditional education where teachers use punishment and rewards as a mean of motivating children, Montessori education focuses on self-correction and self-education. This system has so far proved effective in not only improving the quality of education in modern learning institutions but also help children in understanding their role and responsibility in modern society. Therefore, based on the identified benefits of Montessori education in United States of America, it is clear that this model is the most appropriate and thought of innovation in American education sector. All players should therefore be informed on the important of embracing this system to improve the quality of education in the country. References Christopher L. (2005). Comparison of Academic Achievement Between Montessori and Traditional Education Programs, Journal of Research in Childhood Education,20,1, 21-31. Retrieved on 2rd December 2013. From: http://www.pearweb.org/teaching/pdfs/Schools/Cambridge%20Montessori%20Elementary-Middle%20School/Articles/Montessori%20article.PDF Gandhi, M.(2010). Towards New Education. Education Journals. 2, 1, 23-35 Retrieved on 2rd December 2013. From: www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/new_edu.pdf Jane L. Polin and Barbara R. (2007). Transforming Art Teaching: The Role of Higher Education. Education Journals, 2, 1, 23-35, Retrieved on 2rd December 2013. From: http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&ved=0CD8QFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dana.org%2FWorkArea%2Fdownloadasset.aspx%3Fid%3D10152&ei=nvOeUpuTHMe90QWxpoCABQ&usg=AFQjCNHJxjw3KlZlwALbR_tslNF91bn49w&sig2=zvxJg7pRlS_8wheoaPOrMA&bvm=bv.57155469,d.d2k Madeleine G. (2012). Education Guidebook, Australian education international, 2, 1, 21-27, Retrieved on 2rd December 2013. From: https://aei.gov.au/International-network/northamerica/Publications/Documents/United%20States%20Education%20Guidebook%20April%202012.pdf Margaret, S. (2007). Choosing School for your child. Washington, DC: United states department of education. . Retrieved on 2rd December 2013. From: http://www2.ed.gov/parents/schools/find/choose/choosing.pdf Martin L . (2012). Montessori Education vs. Traditional Education: A Comparison Retrieved on 2rd December 2013. From: http://www.mlkdreamschool.org/about-us/montessori-vs-traditional-education Read More