Week 3 - Response to Jill Davis

Jill wrote:

It was fascinating to learn about the New Media Academy. My son would love that school! Ron Smith teaches with a focus on 21st century learning and project based learning. I like the idea that Smith keeps current on the latest trends in technology and incorporates them into his classroom setting. What an engaging way to learn: present the format and have the students create the end result. Twenty-two ideas, and they are all right! Now that takes into count individual learning styles and true creativity. Also, for the students to teach one another - and the teacher.

As a teacher, it was interesting to hear how Smith spends a large quantity of time to prepare his materials before the course’s first day, so that he can be fully engaged with his students during the course. I could relate to the teachers he was referring to that still prepare their materials a week at a time. Hmmmmmmmm. Welcome to a new wave of teaching and learning!

My Response:

I too was inspired by this video and always view these types of schools in awe. Another school that I am a huge fan of is High Tech High in San Diego (you can watch a great video about the school here - http://www.edutopia.org/collaboration-age-high-tech-technology-video). The school itself operates on the idea of project based learning. That is, learning is taking place while operating within the task of a project. For instance, students may use a website to present information about atoms and a video editing program to create the main portion of the presentation on the site. Also, instead of gauging success like normal schools with state testing, etc, students keep a digital portfolio and do individual student presentation reports to demonstrate the knowledge they have gained. Instead of taking finals, the students do POL's or presentations of learning to demonstrate what they learned in a class. Students are also assessed based on how well the participate in groups and interacting with the classes they are taking. The school has grown to eight charter schools and 100% of all High Tech High graduates are accepted to college. Pretty motivating stuff. Oh yeah, they also offer a Masters degree for educators as well as several workshops throughout the year. Sign me up!