Today in class we talked about the idea of having students learn more 'freely' and being given the choices of what materials they want to learn and the way in which they want to learn them. Seen as the alternative to the testing craziness of many schools in our society, our class was unsure of the reality of such a set up. I searched the web a little and found this article about a school that operates this way, similar to some we may have discussed in class.
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/11/AR2007021101214.html)
This New York City school operates with the children basically choosing what they want to do and when they want to do it. Personally, it seems like this could be working and become more beneficial for some students. However, the key word is SOME. It seems like this 'free' type of learning could be extremely beneficial and more rewarding for the students that enjoy learning that way. But I also think realistically about the fact that some students may not want to learn that way. Perhaps some enjoy the rules and structure, students learn in all different ways and I think we need to take that into account. I agree with this free idea and I would be in support of trying it out and seeing the results. The problem I face is realistically seeing every school changed to this type of learning. I feel as though right now, our society is in 'too deep' to be able to shift gears in such a dramatic way. I wish this wasn't the case, but how is it possible for us all to be on the same page about learning if there are so many variations and possibilities? We've talked so much about how absurd testing is and I think this is true, not everyone should be forced to test the way that we are doing it right now, but I guess I still can't comprehend a real solution. Basically, great idea of free learning with enjoyment, but, is it possible/necessary for all of our Education system to be on that same page....?
I agree with you- there is no way we could possibly force everyone to agree on one type of educational system. I think that these types of schools could serve some students very well and other types could serve other students. I feel like if there were more options for education that would allow for a student's learning personality to be matched with a school philosophy, there would be more lifelong learning happening because school would have be a better experience for more students.
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