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The Homework Myth

How to fix schools so kids really learn

Education
The Siren Song of "Evidence-Based" Instruction

Alfie Kohn on May 29, 2024

Educational traditionalists and behaviorists like to invoke "evidence" or the "science of learning," but those terms are often misleading.

Educational traditionalists and behaviorists like to invoke "evidence" or the "science of learning," but those terms are often misleading.

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
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.

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.