What is the best CI training out there? I have heard votes for the Learning Lab model pioneered by Diana Noonan in DPS. I have heard good things about the War Rooms from last summer. And then there is a third model, the old one where a TPRS “expert” gets in front of a group and talks. Which is best?
Each approach has its drawbacks. The Learning Labs are horrendously difficult on the teacher. Most of the time we get 12 year old superstars with money whose parents see the class as kind of a trendy summer camp immersion for their strong Harvard bound memorizers. This misrepresents the work most of us do. Moreover, the LL classes are small, which is not good for this work. The worst thing about the labs is that we get to teach completely new groups for one class before being observed by large groups of teachers, so we haven’t had a chance to norm the class, which is tremendously important in my view. All those negatives taken into account, I agree with many that the learning labs may be the best way to share what CI is with other teachers.
The War Rooms – I love them. They warm my heart and bring great hope to my mind. But I would ask the group, those who were in one this summer, to comment on their value. It’s kind of a moot point as there probably won’t be any more.
The expert lecturer is the third option, and the way it’s always been done. How do people feel about that option? I don’t think it’s as effective as options one and two above.
I’m just inviting some feedback here, more out of curiosity than anything else. Another reason to ask these questiongs is that newer people who are maybe thinking about getting some training next summer might benefit from any comments on this topic made by some of the teachers who have experienced any of the three options described above.