Imagine an effective and inexpensive K-12 education, delivered in half a typical school day, that rejects failed teaching methods, ideological prejudices, and bureaucratic red tape.
I want to thank Bill for taking the time to learn about Studia Nova, we have partnered with a nation-wide church organization to put a classroom in quite a few of their major locations, we are thrilled that the model is creating time and space for faith formation and community involvement, all while producing great academic results. We would love to see more churches get involved and take education in their own hands!
In my previous comment, I mentioned the Harkness table approach to education first developed at Phillips Exeter Academy (PEA) in the 1930s. Here is a link to it
From what I understand the strength of this method is preparation. Since the class size is about a dozen students, each is expected to contribute so they must do the preparatory reading or problem solving in math. Each must contribute as soon all learn who is not preparing. One of my friends who is a graduate of PEA said you learn to fake it a lot. But it consistently produces a high level of learning.
I doubt it would be good for Nova grade school work but Nova might want to look into if for high school level students.
Thanks Jerry. My one concern with this method is the one you raised, namely, it's possible to fake it, especially if you are verbally adept. I could, however, see a combination of Studia Nova and Harkness, where the Studia Nova approach first confirms that you have carefully read and engaged the material to be discussed, and only then are you subject to the Harkness table approach (once it's been confirmed that you did the work). I can speak from my own experience: as a seminary student, I was busy with lots of things, not least writing my philosophy dissertation at the same time (what became THE DESIGN INFERENCE), and so I cut a lot of corners, not doing or merely skimming many of the assigned readings, and faking my way through classes. I say this not to my credit. But it seems that we need to use technology to prevent students from cutting corners.
The person I described as sometimes faking it in Harkness classes has advanced professional degrees and is very successful. So is also very intelligent and might have gotten by some of the time in classes but not all the time. Math and language classes would reveal ill prepared students immediately. In math, everyone presents a solution to a problem not knowing which one they will be called on to present. So they had to do them all.
I made an analysis of the Harkness approach which appeared long before digital technology. But it wasn’t new per se. Law School has been based on readings and actual cases as a basis for class discussions since the 1800s. Business schools have also been using reading material for case discussions in classes for almost a century. I have an MBA so witnessed both preparation and faking it by students.
The commonality between Harkness and Nova is doing the work Or what when I was young was doing the readings/problem sets before class. The thing that Harkness adds is class discussion or learning from others. Nova doesn’t do this but it is based on in class learning not preparation prior to class. Also the students at PEA are exceptional and the Harkness approach might not work with everyone.
An eight grade student now ready to go to PEA had a friend from the year before at PEA and followed him for a day to understand what he does. His comment was he was amazed at how much his friend verbally contributed during all the classes.
So the commonality between the two is doing all the assigned work, one before class and the other is during class. Nova seems to have a very effective method such as phonics/times tables and the digital techniques to utilize/implement the methods.
I have been reading about other teaching methods for high school and the classics have made a comeback in several places.
One more idea that teachers should think about, usually teachers work for the school admin, completing vast amount of paperwork demanded by all that red tape. In the Studia Nova model, the admin works for the teachers!
I am going to pass it along to our next door neighbor who homeschools her kids.
I live near Exeter, NH which is where Phillips Exeter is located. It is famous for its Harkness table approach to education but only for high school and only at very lofty prices. And definitely not for average students. It would be interesting to see what is successful about both systems.
Hi Richard. So good to hear from you on this forum! I hope you are well and that your monicker is meant tongue in cheek -- I hope much life remains in you and many insights to contribute to the cultural conversation. Blessings!
I want to thank Bill for taking the time to learn about Studia Nova, we have partnered with a nation-wide church organization to put a classroom in quite a few of their major locations, we are thrilled that the model is creating time and space for faith formation and community involvement, all while producing great academic results. We would love to see more churches get involved and take education in their own hands!
In my previous comment, I mentioned the Harkness table approach to education first developed at Phillips Exeter Academy (PEA) in the 1930s. Here is a link to it
https://www.classpoint.io/blog/what-is-the-harkness-method
From what I understand the strength of this method is preparation. Since the class size is about a dozen students, each is expected to contribute so they must do the preparatory reading or problem solving in math. Each must contribute as soon all learn who is not preparing. One of my friends who is a graduate of PEA said you learn to fake it a lot. But it consistently produces a high level of learning.
I doubt it would be good for Nova grade school work but Nova might want to look into if for high school level students.
Thanks Jerry. My one concern with this method is the one you raised, namely, it's possible to fake it, especially if you are verbally adept. I could, however, see a combination of Studia Nova and Harkness, where the Studia Nova approach first confirms that you have carefully read and engaged the material to be discussed, and only then are you subject to the Harkness table approach (once it's been confirmed that you did the work). I can speak from my own experience: as a seminary student, I was busy with lots of things, not least writing my philosophy dissertation at the same time (what became THE DESIGN INFERENCE), and so I cut a lot of corners, not doing or merely skimming many of the assigned readings, and faking my way through classes. I say this not to my credit. But it seems that we need to use technology to prevent students from cutting corners.
The person I described as sometimes faking it in Harkness classes has advanced professional degrees and is very successful. So is also very intelligent and might have gotten by some of the time in classes but not all the time. Math and language classes would reveal ill prepared students immediately. In math, everyone presents a solution to a problem not knowing which one they will be called on to present. So they had to do them all.
I made an analysis of the Harkness approach which appeared long before digital technology. But it wasn’t new per se. Law School has been based on readings and actual cases as a basis for class discussions since the 1800s. Business schools have also been using reading material for case discussions in classes for almost a century. I have an MBA so witnessed both preparation and faking it by students.
The commonality between Harkness and Nova is doing the work Or what when I was young was doing the readings/problem sets before class. The thing that Harkness adds is class discussion or learning from others. Nova doesn’t do this but it is based on in class learning not preparation prior to class. Also the students at PEA are exceptional and the Harkness approach might not work with everyone.
An eight grade student now ready to go to PEA had a friend from the year before at PEA and followed him for a day to understand what he does. His comment was he was amazed at how much his friend verbally contributed during all the classes.
So the commonality between the two is doing all the assigned work, one before class and the other is during class. Nova seems to have a very effective method such as phonics/times tables and the digital techniques to utilize/implement the methods.
I have been reading about other teaching methods for high school and the classics have made a comeback in several places.
One more idea that teachers should think about, usually teachers work for the school admin, completing vast amount of paperwork demanded by all that red tape. In the Studia Nova model, the admin works for the teachers!
Yes, that seems like the right order of priority.
This is a fantastic interview.
I am going to pass it along to our next door neighbor who homeschools her kids.
I live near Exeter, NH which is where Phillips Exeter is located. It is famous for its Harkness table approach to education but only for high school and only at very lofty prices. And definitely not for average students. It would be interesting to see what is successful about both systems.
Bill, thank you very much for this excellent interview and its many essential insights timely and perennial.
R.A. Morton
Hi Richard. So good to hear from you on this forum! I hope you are well and that your monicker is meant tongue in cheek -- I hope much life remains in you and many insights to contribute to the cultural conversation. Blessings!