Styles of Education.

[Obsidian]

In my bried life, I've had the privilege of being in 3 distinctive types of learning.
I was in the regular programs for until I was 12.
To be honest, it was easy. I just cruised through with 90 +s and the teachers had to find things for me to do. Extra projects etc.
Then, I was transferred to the Academicly talented class. Bunch of social misfits we were then! I went, and it was interesting. It was entirely different, more freedom, harder marking, more indepth and complex programs.
I was in that program until just recently, when I was accepted into an Outdoor school program.
That is the most unusual learning of my life. Very rarely do we sit down in a class room, and read. We go through Bio books on our own time mostly, hand in notes once in a while, but do A LOT of group work and assignments. There is so much free time and responsibility placed on each person its amazing having come from the regimented life of high school.

So what style presents the best method for people to learn by?
Regimented, large classes, relatively simple assignments.
Regimented, Large classes, More complex assignments and more communication with the teacher
or Barely regimented, slightly smaller class, with middle complexity projects involving groups and partners?

[Maharlika]

I would prefer smaller classes so that the teacher can easily facilitate the learning of his students.

Take note that I used the word facilitate. Modern pedagogy now prefers the student-centered approach. The mug-and-jug style of teaching is considered obsolete.

The teacher is there as a guide and would rather help the students develop critical-thinking skills.

Memorization and rote-learning are considered old-school and obsolete (especially rote-learning).

The complexities of the subject with its corresponding projects, discussions, activities, etc. would likely depend on the make-up of the class. Would it be a heterogenous group (a mixture of advanced learners, average and academically-challenged learners) or would it be homogenous?

I prefer a heterogenous group wherein the teacher can also make use of peer facilitators.

At the university-level in my country, more often than not, you are on your own. The professors would either just write on the board (and just talk to the board too ) or if you're lucky, would rather engage in discussions after he has presented the lessons through assigned readings or whatever.

Which reminds me, during my qualifying exams for my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, I encountered this term called Autonomous Learner. I haven't got any book right now about this topic, but I guy named Nunan discussed this.

Perhaps CE (or even Fable) may have something on this.