Learning Through Harkness  

The History of Harkness Teaching 

 

Harkness teaching was developed in 1930 by Edward Harkness. He was made a philanthropic donation to Phillips Exeter Academy and requested that the funds be used to develop a new approach to classroom learning. The result is what is now known as Harkness Teaching - a gathering of teachers and students around a table where they can exchange meaningful ideas and students are encouraged to speak up. 

 

Over the years, the method has been revised, but the essence of gathering to freely share ideas has remained at the heart of the approach. Phillips Exeter Academy uses Harkness teaching in all of their subjects and they hold institutes each summer to teach the method to other educators from all over the world. 

 

Learn more about the story of the history of Harkness Teaching. 

 

 

References: 

 

Harkness History. Retrived from: http://www.exeter.edu/admissions/109_1220_11688.aspx

 

Edward Harkness image retrived from: www.wikipedia.com