Annotated Bibliography 1--March 4

Bondelli, Kevin J. "An Evaluation of the Ineffectiveness of the Traditional Educational System." Scribd. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Mar 2011. .

Bondelli argues that the ‘traditional’ American education system—which he defines as intellectual learning that trains students on how to succeed on standardized tests—is an ineffective and inefficient system of teaching. Teachers are feeling pressured into merely teaching what is on these standard exams rather than establishing connections with their students and addressing their individual needs. Standardized testing is inherently detrimental to the students’ learning experience, and thus the students never truly learn the value of individualized education.

Seldin, Tim. "Montessori and Traditional Education: Philosophical Perspectives and Approaches in Contrast." The International Montessori Council. The Montessori Foundation, 19 Sept 2006. Web. 4 Mar 2011. .

The author writes that the American education system is steering away from a student-based approach to learning and instead focusing on high test scores in an attempt to impose discipline through an authoritarian education. As such, a proposal known as the Montessori Way was pioneered. It is an approach that teaches partnership between teacher and student, respect, and mental health for the student, along with the basic skills. The children learn through real-life application and problem solving. Rather than giving the students the correct answers, teachers much learn how to ask the right questions. The key to this approach is the culture and relationships that develop between students and their peers.