Advantages and disadvantages of montessori system?

Answer 1

I've had to write about this for my gtp and I've got to tell you, its been really hard to find information. I don't have kids, and I don't have first hand knowledge, only my research for my teacher training course. I am a trainee teacher in the UK. I am in no way saying the method is right or wrong, just that I had to write an essay for my teacher training and these are points you may wish to consider.

Advantages

Students get to choose what they want to learn at their own pace. We know that they will choose something that interests and engages them, factors that are considered key to learning. This means that they will not miss understanding a subject if they were absent or didn't get it the first time round

Students are observed by the teacher and 'guided' gently when needed, for example if a child has been painting for 3 day straight they will be gently guided onto another task. This observation of the students informs future teaching, enables the teacher to identify a childs' strengths and areas of weakness and guide them to a better outcome

Students are encouraged to be independent learners and the classroom environment is usually designed to exploit this trait.

Disadvantages

As students are encouraged to be independent they also have little interaction with other students and carry out 'work' primarily on their own. In order for a child to develop well, social interaction is needed and it is considered to have an affect on the degree of learning and understanding the child can achieve

There is an argument that perhaps the curriculum is too free and students may encounter difficulties when they go to mainstream schools (primary and secondary) Think about it, if you have been able to decide what you want to learn and how and for how long you want to learn it, when you have to learn what the teacher is telling you and at the pace of a whole class, you might encounter some problems.

Thirdly the system was created in the 1900-1950's. Children and society has changed a lot since then, so perhaps the ideal outcomes of the Montessori education system may not be relevant today.

That is my two pennies worth, I hope this helps, I know I needed this article before so maybe it will be of use to somebody.