Education should be regarded as a way of living, not merely preparation for future living. Currently, as in the past, far too much control and initiative emanates from the teacher. This enforces a limited classroom society that de-emphasizes many aspects of community. I believe that most children tend to learn best when allowed real choice and personal initiative within the context of a rich social life. Pursuit of meaningful objectives or inquiry into authentic questions generated from student experiences is the central strategy for teaching.
Minds differ significantly.
We cannot be profitably arrayed as distinct points on a single bell curve. Any uniform educational approach will serve only a handful of children well. Schools should take differences among human beings seriously, and select curricula, learning tools and opportunities, and assessment in the light of these differences. Rote learning provides short term recall of information. Learning beyond rote is nurtured by building and investigation, and by representing ideas and relationships in a variety of relevant ways.