Is it really teaching if the students are 'aloud'?

The article by Sprague and Dede did a solid --though at times a bit hokey--job presenting the contrasts betwixt a Constructivist classroom and a more traditional classroom.

I was struck by the fictional principal feeling more secure and comfortable observing the teacher who had given the same lecture on the same day for nine consecutive years. I think this is the challenge of Constructivist Teaching and Learning. All educators' teaching methodologies reflect their own student-learning experiences which in turn are based on the styles of the teachers they had. So if a teacher had very traditional-quiet classroom experiences that will indeed be how their classroom will be conducted. On the other hand teachers who were able (as students) to be actively engaged in role playing, simulations or student created panel discussions (for a few examples) will in turn develop activities doing the same for their own students.

I think that teachers who are unable to let go of being the knowledge-boss AKA the font of most important stuff--will struggle with integrating technology into their classroom for several reasons. Once students are no longer locked into their desks or focused exclusively on the "front" of the room, they can go almost anywhere intellectually speaking. When students are allowed to process information with classmates and respond with a collaborative version of a reflection paper, a traditional teacher may feel unsure as to the ultimate destination of the discussion because they are unable to anticipate the myriad of questions or situations that may arise from the student group reflection! A teacher who has always managed a quiet very carefully structured classroom may develop small rashes or experience shortness of breath at this point!

I think that the Sprague & Dede article is effective in contrasting the two teacher styles and I purposefully did not highlight it as I want to make copies to share it with some colleagues for their own reflection and feedback. Then again I could pdf it and save the copies (!!).