DALTON PLAN- A METHOD OF TEACHING MATHEMATICS
BACKGROUND:
This is a
plan designed by a teacher by name Helen Parkhurst who worked in a high school
in the town of Dalton in MASSACHUSSET. She, it is told had to face the problem
of dealing with a very heterogeneous group of learners all of whom were put in
the same class. Her creativity enabled her to design a plan of action to help
pupils progress in their studies at rates appropriate for their interests,
potentialities, etc.It
is also known as laboratory plan. It features freedom
of movement and choice of material by students.
CHARACTERISTICS:
— A
set of well designed activities distributed; using which
each student could progress in tune with his own abilities and interests.
— Gradually this curriculum transaction became famous
all over the world
enabling individualised
instructions and came
to be known as
Dalton Plan.
— The idea was to give pupils the freedom
and
oppurtunity to develop initiative
and self-reliance.
— The Plan is based on individual clearing.
— The main principle
of Dalton Plan is “Freedom of
work and
Cooperation”.
How does it
work:
— It is a
method of education by which
pupils work at their own pace.
— Students
are encouraged to help each other with their
work.
— Students
receive individual help from the teacher
when necessary.
— Students
draw up timetables and are responsible for
finishing the work.
Strategy Followed:
— Each learner is allowed and
encouraged to progress in various
subjects according to their
interest likely at a given time.
— Teacher prepares
an year plan in advance which
indicates the curriculum
material that has to
be completed during that year.
— This is
circulated among the students at the beginning of the year.
— This year plan is known as
‘Contract’.
— Total task
for the year is divided into
monthly assignment, weekly periods and daily units.
— The assignments
are circulated with instruction to
finish within a
fixed time; and directions are
given to gather
the required informations from
specific page of a book.
— Students are instructed to conduct specified experiments using specified equipments and
to record the results in a specified
manner.
— The teacher
does not teach; but
provide guidance and monitors
when it is required.
Three parts of Dalton Plan:
— The House, a social
community of students.
— The Assignment, a monthly goal which students
have to complete.
— The Laboratory, a subject-based classroom
intended to be the center of the educational experience.
Role of teacher in
Dalton Plan:
— Keeping an atmosphere of study in the room.
— Keeping the subject library and
other equipments upto date and in proper order.
— Keeping full records of the progress
made by the pupil in different classes.
— Giving informations with regard to the use of relevant equipments and
materials.
Why Dalton Plan:
— For understanding and respecting child.
— For effective classroom management.
— For the development of students and teachers.
— To make classes more interacting and
interesting.
— To develop and use creativity in learning.
— To make teaching and learning more effective and exciting.
Advantages:
— Learners get opportunity to
learn each subject in tune with their interests and level of attainment.
— Development of desirable study habits.
— Learning will become more
effective.
— Development of qualities like self effort and self confidence.
— The confidence to learn
independently and to stand on their own legs for executing responsibilities
will be reflected in future life.
Disadvantages:
— It won’t be applicable for a large number of students.
— Unsuitable for an average
child.
— Oral work is discouraged.
— Difficult topics cannot be
covered in this method.
— Lack of well equipped libraries and reading room.
