Video: Does Class Size Matter?

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Hertz Furniture video blogger Mor Rossler discusses class size and how it affects students. Recently, schools have been trying to reduce the amount of students in each classroom.  Is this to our student’s benefit?  Would resources be better spent on teacher resources and the quality of our teachers?  Does class size affect academic success?


Watch the video and learn more!


 

 

6 Responses to Video: Does Class Size Matter?

  1. Alec says:

    This TED Talk makes some interesting points, particularly about class sizes, investment levels and teachers pay. Some of it almost counter intuitive, but it is backed up by good data.
    http://www.ted.com/talks/andreas_schleicher_use_data_to_build_better_schools?utm_medium=on.ted.com-andreasschools&utm_campaign=getabstract&awesm=on.ted.com_h0F1k&utm_content=awesm-publisher&utm_source=direct-on.ted.com

    • Mor says:

      Hi Alec,
      Thank you for your comment and posting this interesting TED Talk. The speaker makes interesting points and PISA performs hard work in comparing countries data to show best performance in schools, however I question the value of comparing countries with different culture, goals and standards in terms of rating academic success. I agree with his assessment that where we choose to invest money within the education system is an important factor, never the less I believe there is so much more to a classroom than global data. There is so much more to classroom success than a number on a chart.

  2. still begging kids to learn good manners ? , read the long pin post on the group in facebook “teachers problems “and on the group “education problems ” .

    do not be shocked

  3. manuelvicion says:

    el volumen /o la cantidad de estudiantes no importaria si ellos no fueran sociales. pero si lo son . les gusta ver y oir lo que otros hablan y ver a otros/as. por ello el sistema educativo debe cambiar ya.
    los preparadores de alumnos son los que deben terapearlos. para que ellos puedan enfrentar los retos en las escuelas

  4. Susan says:

    Reducing the size of classes does make a huge difference to the quality of teaching and learning. I have taught class sizes from 36-12 and I would agree that less than 16 has a negative effective on classroom discussions. My personal optimum is 16-18 for junior school (7-11 yrs). Currently it isn’t cost-effective because teachers also act as recess monitors and “babysitters”. I have an idea…. What if the “teaching/ learning part of the day was concentrated into a shorter school day? Then we could afford to have smaller groups. For the rest of the school day, students could spend more time following their creative passions (so collaborating in interest groups such as tinkering, putting together a musical performance or building). My experience lies with elementary school students. If I was opening a new school this is how I would do it: half the day would be spent with the “academics teacher” and the other half of the day they would be supervised in much larger groups for project work. Now you get the best from the teacher and freedom to apply those skills… In essence similar to sports colleges and theater schools for our child actors.
    Master teachers don’t need to be paid more. Master teachers are that way because they want to be the best at what they do. No-one ever entered teaching to “get rich”. All we ask is the freedom to be the best we can be so that we can help inspire our students to be the best they can be too!
    Quality teacher training is essential but so is on the job experience which cannot grow when class sizes are too large or curriculums are too stringent, or testing is too high stakes or professionals are not monitored or worst of all, teachers are expected to be “jacks of all trades” including basic supervisory roles. If you want your teachers to be excellent, then you will have to train, recognise and treat them as experts!

    • Mor says:

      You’ve touched on a lot of issues in your comment. I can see from your ideas that your ideal school would combine focused professionalism (teacher training,focused academics, quality teaching time) with child focused inspiration (inquiry and project based learning, supporting students passion). There are many different theories on what makes the best schools. I find that to answer that question it really depends on what are your goals. I see your goal is try to attain both worlds I mentioned and I couldn’t agree more.I hope other educators with different experiences will comment about how they would achieve this goal if they could open their own schools.I imagine there are many directions one could take to try to achieve it.
      Your frustration with the “babysitting” aspect of our school day resonates with me and I am sure with other educators as well. Even at an early childhood level every educator will use any moment they can as a teachable moment, and it’s important to not get jaded by our frustrations and forget how important our role is for these children.
      This brings me to your comment about teachers salary. This is quite a hot topic. but while good educators go to work every day to educate,inspire, and motivate children knowing they are not doing it “to get rich” I think we can all agree that it is important their salary reflects their commitment and hard work.
      Thank you so much for your comment!

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