Work Models

  1. Flow Model
  2. Sequence Model
  3. Artifact Model
  4. Cultural Model
  5. Physical Model
  6. Metaphors

Research

  1. Design Problem
  2. Literature Review
  3. Work Models
  4. Design Patterns
  5. Design Experiments
  6. Lesson Ideas
  7. Montessori Computes
  8. Thinking About Circles

Related Links

Patterns and Design

Montessori

Cultural Model

Culture has important influences on the way that work is done in Montessori classrooms.  Cultural influences included formal and informal policy of the school, standards published by accrediting organizations, government requirements, self-image of teachers, students and administrators, feelings expressed by prominent Montessorians or local influencers (parents, administration, students, other teachers, trusted sources of educational materials).

As part of my literature review, I am reviewing standards documents published by Montessori organizations that accredit schools, including:

I am also looking at official positions of organizations and statements by prominent Montessorians on the use of computers in Montessori classrooms:

In conducting observations and interviews in a number of Montessori classrooms in the Chicago area in 1997, I became aware of different cultural influences on computer use at a local level, including pressure from parents to put computers in classrooms, teachers' confidence or lack of confidence in use of computers, sentiments that computers are "not appropriate" for Montessori classrooms, various views about the kind of software that is appropriate for the classroom, teacher observations of gender differences in the use of computers, and views about judging the value of software.  I am revisiting data collected at that time and will do further field work in this area.

This line of inquiry will help ensure materials, software and activities that I design will match the culture of the Montessori classroom.

Leone Learning Systems, Inc. (LLS) is a North Shore company that provides online courses for kids anywhere and local teaching and tutoring services for students in Chicago and the Northern Suburbs of Chicagoland. LLS also provides a free geometry software package for children age 6 and up, and free resources for teachers and parents. This site includes information about classes taught, availability for tutoring, learning activities for kids, lesson plans, and an ongoing software and curriculum research and development effort.