The Homework Myth

Education

Effacing Facts

Alfie Kohn on April 25, 2023

We (and our kids) don't remember most of what we were taught, but that's not an argument against school. It's an argument against traditional, "bunch o' facts" schooling.

We (and our kids) don't remember most of what we were taught, but that's not an argument against school. It's an argument against traditional, "bunch o' facts" schooling.

Play

Is It Enough for Students to Be "Engaged"?

Alfie Kohn on October 10, 2022

It's good when kids are absorbed by something they're doing. It's better—and more likely to be intellectually beneficial—when what they're doing is driven by their curiosity.

It's good when kids are absorbed by something they're doing. It's better—and more likely to be intellectually beneficial—when what they're doing is driven by their curiosity.

Sport and Competition

The Case for Cooperative Games

Alfie Kohn on February 14, 2022

We've been raised to assume that playing a game means struggling to defeat other people. But activities without winners or losers actually reveal how much fun competition isn't

We've been raised to assume that playing a game means struggling to defeat other people. But activities without winners or losers actually reveal how much fun competition isn't

Bias

Schooling Is Never Values-Free or Apolitical

Alfie Kohn on November 5, 2021

Why is it "political" to teach the history of racism in this country but apolitical to ignore it? Or do conservatives actually fear kids' being taught to think for themselves?

Why is it "political" to teach the history of racism in this country but apolitical to ignore it? Or do conservatives actually fear kids' being taught to think for themselves?

Environment

What Makes a True Skeptic?

Alfie Kohn on September 27, 2021

When conspiracy theorists, anti-vaxxers, and climate science deniers claim to be brave truth-tellers and skeptics, how do we distinguish that from genuine skepticism?

When conspiracy theorists, anti-vaxxers, and climate science deniers claim to be brave truth-tellers and skeptics, how do we distinguish that from genuine skepticism?

Education

The Progressive Teacher's Role in the Classroom

Alfie Kohn on May 3, 2021

What's harder than either traditional or hands-off teaching? Artfully complicating students' thinking. And being in control of putting kids in control.

What's harder than either traditional or hands-off teaching? Artfully complicating students' thinking. And being in control of putting kids in control.

Education

Lessons About Education: Dewey, Piaget, and Frosted Mini-Wheats

Alfie Kohn on March 8, 2021

A meditation on why sugarcoating is best avoided, both literally (in cereals) and figuratively (in education and parenting).

A meditation on why sugarcoating is best avoided, both literally (in cereals) and figuratively (in education and parenting).

Education

The Tests Are Lousy, So How Could the Scores Be Meaningful?

Alfie Kohn on December 21, 2020

Why do so many teachers privilege test scores (falsely endowing them with "objectivity") over their own, more meaningful knowledge of how kids are faring?

Why do so many teachers privilege test scores (falsely endowing them with "objectivity") over their own, more meaningful knowledge of how kids are faring?

Relationships

Fame Is the Name of the Game

Alfie Kohn on October 16, 2020

The pervasive (and poignant) desire to be known by millions of strangers—or to bask in the reflected glory of famous people—is an intriguing psychological puzzle.

The pervasive (and poignant) desire to be known by millions of strangers—or to bask in the reflected glory of famous people—is an intriguing psychological puzzle.

Education

All of Us Are Smarter Than Any of Us

Alfie Kohn on September 23, 2020

There's a substantial cost to students, and perhaps especially to working-class students, of our extreme ideology of individualism.

There's a substantial cost to students, and perhaps especially to working-class students, of our extreme ideology of individualism.

Health

Out of Control

Alfie Kohn on May 21, 2020

Having some control over what happens to us is a basic human need. Selfish individualism is not.

Having some control over what happens to us is a basic human need. Selfish individualism is not.

Autism

Autism and Behaviorism

Alfie Kohn on January 29, 2020

Part 3 of 3: A new review of 50 years of research finds little support for ABA. The evidence actually supports treating autistic kids as human beings, not bundles of behaviors.

Part 3 of 3: A new review of 50 years of research finds little support for ABA. The evidence actually supports treating autistic kids as human beings, not bundles of behaviors.

Autism

Autism and Behaviorism

Alfie Kohn on January 28, 2020

ABA can objectify and dehumanize autistic children, with mindless compliance the price for acceptance. Is it any wonder it's widely despised by the children to whom it's done?

ABA can objectify and dehumanize autistic children, with mindless compliance the price for acceptance. Is it any wonder it's widely despised by the children to whom it's done?

Behaviorism

Autism and Behaviorism

Alfie Kohn on January 27, 2020

Part 1 of 3: Research has long shown that rewards inevitably backfire. That includes "positive reinforcement" to manipulate children with special needs.

Part 1 of 3: Research has long shown that rewards inevitably backfire. That includes "positive reinforcement" to manipulate children with special needs.

Education

What the Presidential Candidates Should Say About Education

Alfie Kohn on October 18, 2019

There's a big difference between being politically progressive (when talking about education policy) and also being educationally progressive.

There's a big difference between being politically progressive (when talking about education policy) and also being educationally progressive.

Media

Gener(aliz)ations

Alfie Kohn on July 16, 2019

Let's quit the Millennial bashing and, while we're at it, stop the simplistic summaries of Baby Boomers, Gen X'ers, and other huge groups that only have age in common.

Let's quit the Millennial bashing and, while we're at it, stop the simplistic summaries of Baby Boomers, Gen X'ers, and other huge groups that only have age in common.

Education

The Trouble(s) with College

Alfie Kohn on May 23, 2019

The low points of higher ed: How the system for deciding who's accepted makes our society more inequitable, and how the teaching isn't always so hot for those who do get in.

The low points of higher ed: How the system for deciding who's accepted makes our society more inequitable, and how the teaching isn't always so hot for those who do get in.

Child Development

Deconstructing "Scaffolding"

Alfie Kohn on March 7, 2019

Educators often use a metaphor from the construction industry to describe giving students temporary help. But a closer look suggests the idea is more controversial than it seems.

Educators often use a metaphor from the construction industry to describe giving students temporary help. But a closer look suggests the idea is more controversial than it seems.

Education

The Why Axis

Alfie Kohn on November 26, 2018

Progressive teaching is hard to do well. But describing its rationale to skeptical outsiders is also important.

Progressive teaching is hard to do well. But describing its rationale to skeptical outsiders is also important.

Altruism

When Oprah Calls, You Don't Say No

Alfie Kohn on August 24, 2018

In 1996, Oprah Winfrey did an experiment in which some kids were rewarded for evaluating puzzles, and she invited me to explain the results. Here's what happened.

In 1996, Oprah Winfrey did an experiment in which some kids were rewarded for evaluating puzzles, and she invited me to explain the results. Here's what happened.