Criticism of open teaching

The open form of teaching is a very controversial method and it seems that there is a contradiction between the adjective open and the word teaching. Thus, according to critics of open teaching, it cannot be a teaching at all. The main problem with the implementation of open teaching is that there is no comprehensive concept so far.

As a result, teachers’ opinions differ as to what they understand by open instruction. Because of this individual understanding of open classes, there are no comparable studies. Furthermore, there is a discrepancy between what the individual teachers consider important from the learning content and what the students actually learn.

Methods of open teaching

Open classes are composed of different methods or can include very different methods. One method is for example the weekly schedule. The teacher gives the student concrete work assignments that have to be completed within a week or another agreed period.

The work assignments usually consist of compulsory and optional tasks that are adapted to the student’s level. The student organizes his or her own time management. Another method is free work or also called free work.

Like other subjects, this free work is firmly anchored in the timetable with a few hours per week. The students have a wide range of learning materials on a pre-treated topic from one class. Now they can delve into the topic independently with materials of their choice, which correspond to their level of achievement, and also freely choose a social form.

In addition, there is also project teaching. Individual students or groups of students are to work on a matter or a problem independently in a project and try to solve it, if possible without teacher assistance. Another method of open teaching is station learning, which can be compared to circuit training in sports. The students receive one instruction per station, which provides action-oriented learning materials of various kinds, and can then work independently and freely on each station.