Learning Through Harkness  

The Harkness Method 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This image captures the philosophy of Harkness. Put simply, it is the movement away from the teacher as the keeper of knowledge to one of a participant and guide, when needed. From the red lines tracking the conversation in the above image, you can see that Harkness is a community of learners. These learners build a shared understanding that is stronger because of the presence of different voices and ideas. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this video Jim Heal, an English teacher at Wellington College, discusses the philosophy of Harkness. He attended Phillips Exeter for training, but speaks about the importance of finding a way of doing Harkness that suits your students and school. 

 

 

 

 

Table Etiquette and Behaviours 

 

As Mr. Heal expressed in his video, there is no "right" way to do Harkness. Teachers should find a style that fits their students. Over the past few years, I have devloped the following list of expectations to help students get the most from Harkness. It started following a workshop conducted by two educators from Phillips Exeter Academy and has been reworked following my own experiences and classes. I encourage you to develop a list of expectations that works for you and your students. 

 

• Harkness is collaborative. Our ideas are stronger when we share our thoughts and build on different perspectives. We cannot think of Harkness as a competition of best ideas.

 

• Harkness is about you, not about the teacher. I will be a part of the circle and help guide the discussion at some points, but this process is focused on allowing you to discuss and explore ideas that you are interested in. Because of this, please direct your ideas to your classmates. Try not to look at me when you are speaking.

 

• Try to use each other’s names as much as possible. It helps build a community of trust and collaboration. If you agree with someone’s point start by saying, “I agree with Declan’s point about the nature of the character in this story.”

 

• Respect is essential to the proper functioning of a Harkness circle. You should look at the person speaking at all times.

 

• In order to build your understanding, you should make comments on your page/work if a good idea is shared. Annotations are key to a good Harkness discussion.

 

• You should always try to use ideas from the text to support your opinion. Textual references are one of the most important aspects of Harkness. 

 

• Don't put your hand up to speak. Be present and aware of your peers and you will be able to read body language and take cues about when it is time to speak. 

 

• Take risks – share your opinions. There are no right answers. Your opinion is valid so long as you can support it with proof from the text.

 

• Respectfully disagree with each other – it makes for great conversation and learning.

 

• Ask questions of the group. This will help stretch everyone’s critical thinking.

 

• Try not to interrupt the flow of conversations or ideas with a new or off-topic idea. Wait until one aspect of the text has been fully explored. 

 

• Monitor your own participation. Active listening is just as important as speaking. If you notice some of your peers are not participating, try inviting them into the conversation with a question. At the same time, if you are invited into the discussion, it is okay is occasionally pass.