I Won’t Learn from You!

Quotes:

“Brilliant, human and sensible. If anyone is wondering why our education system has seemed to fail to reach such a large proportion of the students who are its responsibility, reading this concise and timely essay will provide some plausible answers.”—Academic Library Book Review

“It offers a “real world' way of looking at the choices students make; it's eloquent; it's deeply respectful of youngsters.”—Carol Heller, University of Illinois, Chicago

“It gets right to the heart of one of the major problems in urban classrooms, kids who don't learn or won't learn.”—Warren Allen, Rockhurst College, Missouri

“It opens eyes and minds.”—William H. Parrett, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

“I agree with Kohl that teachers need to understand the difference between failing to learn and choosing to not learn. No other book explores this problem so eloquently.”—Kirby Wilcoxson, Sioux Falls College, South Dakota

“The book provides striking examples of why 'unmotivated' students should really be asked what their motivation is —what are their goals? . . . No academic tip-toeing here!”—Susan B. Nolen, University of Washington, Seattle

“Beautiful idea, simply and briefly stated, that all teachers should know.”—Stephen Garger, University of Portland

“I think it addresses problems my students may face. I think it is an opportunity for reflection.”—Elizabeth Kerlikowske, Western Michigan University

“Poignant essay that helps my students see a perspective on education completely different from their own.”—Cheryl Sauthworth, Meredith College, North Carolina

“[The] book is an excellent tool of analysis of many young people's resistance to learning. It provided a valuable lens to appreciate a problem overlooked by many/most educators.”—Kalin Grigg, Fort Lewis College, Colorado

“[My students] loved it—the story of Akmir returns to conversations throughout the semester.”—James Reineke, Northern Illinois University

“[I chose the book because of its] presentation of issue of diversity, [and my students responded] extremely positively.”—John Ameer, Harvard University; Simmons College Massachusetts

“[I Won't Learn From You's] unique perspective encourages students to challenge their assumptions about teaching and learning.”—Ruthanne Kurth-Shai, Macalester College, Minnesota

“[I Won't Learn From You's] a short, readable text with great anecdotes.”—Kim Lynch, Cambridge Community College