BP2_20091004_Anti-Teaching

Based on the assumption that the educational systems as we know them do not work for the vast majority of the students moving through them, what would work?

First, the parents must be a part of the educational solution. They must assume the responsibility of being a parent and the teaching that accompanies it and not just leave ‘all’ education to the school. Second, the students must ‘want’ to learn and desire to improve themselves. Third, the schools must provide adequate tools for the students to learn. Tools include technology; this includes students not ‘powering down’ upon arrival to the school building. Fourth, teachers must answer the ‘why’ in teaching a subject. The ‘why’ also answers the ‘significance’ for a student. Finally, begin teaching in the students learning style – visual, kinesthetic, natural, verbal, numbers, etc. – and in collaborative groups, so students can begin to interpret the world in a thoughtful and ‘creative’ way. ‘Creativity’ is the answer in education and in the current digital age.

Think about what you have learned about Multiple Intelligences, Brain-Based Learning, and good instructional design. Are virtual learning environments with course management systems the answer?

Course Management Systems (CMS) are tools that a teacher can use. It requires a lot of work upfront for the teacher, but allows for more interaction between students. It emphasizes the collaborative and social aseptic of learning so desired by today student.

Is technology itself enough?

No, technology is not enough; it is only a tool. Education is in a desperate need for ‘creativity’ to be emphasized and encouraged to change the way things are currently working.

What are the key components you would include in new schools?

All new schools need to implement the one-to-one program for all students. This would eliminate excuses and ‘level’ the playing field for many underprivileged students. All teachers should be thoroughly trained on the new technology before the school year begins, so they can help the students with they ‘new’ technology. Incorporate collaborative learning with practical skills and answer the ‘why’ questions surrounding the subject matter. This should enable students to begin to ask the ‘good’ questions that envolk ‘lifelong learning.’

Pull from your learning and the sources you have already acquired to support your answer. What are the key components for 21st century schools and “learning beyond the test?”

Students’ crave and need real world problems for which answers must be found. These problems can be solved ‘creatively’ with new insight and thought processes that are not the norm using a student innate ability or style to resolve it. What better way to have a student get excited about learning then for a solution to be found to that real world problem and for the solution to be implemented. That student will be able to say, “I helped figure that out. I made a difference.”