DALTON PLAN

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.