I LOVED this! I want to go visit his school and see all of the things that are happening there! I think there are so many important points that were made by him that educators need to consider. His answer to why students need to learn physics was fabulous! If teachers talked to their students like that it would mean so much more than saying "you need it for college blah, blah, blah".
Pretesting kids to see what they are worst at, and then overloading them on that - while giving students materials and strategies to improve on areas they do not excel in does matter, focusing on strengths and areas of passion and creativity matters as much, if not more.
So much of what I am seeing and hearing across the board is about the factory model of schools is outdated and that it is not working anymore. "We can do better," says Lehmann and so many others, why aren't we?!
Having kids sharing their work with the world seems so common sense! Letting them know the work they produce and the ideas that they have are important enough to be shared is wonderful. Taking sharing beyond standing up and presenting the work that is done to a more globalized method should take place. students can make an impact on the world, and they should be given the means and support to do so. Amazing things would happen!
Link to the speech: Chris Lehmann - Education is Broken
Your question: "So why aren't we?" is so well placed. It seems that there is a line of experts saying that education is broken and needs an overhaul. So, what's the hold up? Is it that there are too many varying opinions on what exactly should be done, or does everyone recognize that there is a problem and just not know exactly how to fix it? I'm not sure where the solutions lie or how we will implement them....
ReplyDeleteIt feels like everyone can see that there are elements of our education system that are not working, that there are plenty of great and innovative suggestions, but that no steps are being taken to actually change things. Sure there are some schools and programs doing things (the ones you hear, see, and read about that show us the great ideas) but as a whole the change is not occurring.
ReplyDeleteIs it fear of change? Is it that some don't want to put in the effort?
We are supposed to be preparing students for a fast changing world...shouldn't we be just as adaptive as we want them to be?
I will go with you to the school! This is an amazing concept and I hope that many more teachers will be introduced to Lehmann and others like him. Your comment about telling students they have to prepare for college is exactly what I think too. High school should not be a place that solely prepares you for college. The college environment does not fit all types, but students need to know that there are other options such as vocational training or even apprenticeships. It sounds to me that Lehmann's school wants students to be prepared for life focusing on collaboration, problem solving skills, and producing the best product you can.
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