Discussion Article: Duffy: In Pursuit of an Illusion: The Flawed Search for a Perfect Method

In Pursuit of an Illusion: The Flawed Search for a Perfect Method by Duffy, Gerald G., and Hoffman, James V. 1999

In the Duffy's article he talks about how legislation is being passed that ignore evidence that thoughtfully adaptive teaching gets the best results.  The laws are trying to force teachers try and stick to one perfect method.  This is a result of people passing laws that have never been in a classroom or around a group of children!  The children’s needs and abilities are so diverse it is impossible to stick to one method. As Duffy states effective teachers must be “eclectic” they have to have knowledge of many methods and techniques and know how to adjust and use their professional judgment and training to meet the needs of all their students.

Duffy speaks to policy makers telling them they should not try to pass laws that create an environment of poor instruction practices.  They should work to create policy that can establish effective practice.  Policy needs to create assessments that sample some learners rather than testing then all.  This keeps educators from teaching to the test.

Duffy also explains that researchers need to focus on how complex classrooms are today. Researchers need to study how teachers make decision-making skills, and their educational beliefs.  I also believe as Duffy we need to study teachers that can follow the states standards while adjusting their teaching methods and materials to meet their student’s needs.

            Duffy talks about three important ideas for educators of teachers, which I feel are important as well.  “A teacher education is ongoing. They need to think differently about what teachers must learn. (Teachers need usual kinds of professional knowledge and must also build a sense of self). Teacher educators should emphasize the complex nature of classrooms where no one program or method can be universally effective. 

* Instructional situations that require methods to be modified

*Problem solving in specific situations

 *Provide instruction in many approaches and methods and how to adapt

* Illustrate case studies of teacher that successfully combined programs and methods

*Hypothesize about other modifications that might be necessary in different situations.”

When legislation puts teachers and children all on the same path it stops innovation, risk taking and creativity from all.  It prevents exploring new avenues of education and stops the improvement of reading instruction.

            I feel Duffy is correct when he talks about how teachers need to realize “they are teachers of children not methods”.  Excellent teachers will “modify instruction, change methods, use professional decision making to do what needs to be done to instruct a child at any given point and time”.