I want to do this at my district. I’ll get a few gopros have students wear them throughout their school day and share their ideas about what it is to be a high school student at our high school in today’s society. I think it will help open the eyes of administrators, teachers and staff at our schools, because the ideas will not be from traditional research or other teachers or trainers. The information will be coming straight from our students, from our schools. How can anyone not stop to listen and respond? I can’t think of another more powerful way to help find solutions to the numerous issues that are affecting our students, both personally and academically.
This video is a video collage of students’ ideas about education in school. The ideas presented are profound and heartfelt. I can’t think of one that I thought was an exaggeration or completely off track. I believe this is the reality of our traditional education system. So, if we actually listen, and process these student ideas, how can we not take action?
The following are a few quotes that really stood out to me.
“We are in school most of the day wasting our lives.” Unfortunately this is not the first time I have heard a student share this sentiment. Many of my students have shared this thought with me stating that they see no relation to what they are required to learn in the classroom to what they need to know to survive in society, find a job, or succeed in college.
“Standardized tests equal standardized education.” I don’t remember where, but I have heard this idea before. Sadly, I agree. Standardized test don’t require too much of students other than to recall or find ways to increase their chances of guessing the correct answers. They don’t see the value of these tests, so they do work hard to memorize information, however the memorized information will only last for a short period of time.
“We are taught that one’s own ideas and those of one’s classmates are inconsequential.” This made me sad. There are still to many educators that limit the time students are allowed to apply their knowledge during school, share with their classmates and use the internet. This is what students want. When they are not given this time to explore, share their knowledge or question, they can’t find a reason to engage in the learning. Today’s students want to be active participants. If we don’t provide this to them, they interpret it as if we don’t want to listen to them and that their ideas don’t matter and that we don’t value them as individuals.
“Traditional education needs to die. It needs to go away.” I take this as a call to action. What are you willing to do to unlearn this idea of a traditional education and learn what it takes to an create education that meets the needs of the 21st century student?
This video is a video collage of students’ ideas about education in school. The ideas presented are profound and heartfelt. I can’t think of one that I thought was an exaggeration or completely off track. I believe this is the reality of our traditional education system. So, if we actually listen, and process these student ideas, how can we not take action?
The following are a few quotes that really stood out to me.
“We are in school most of the day wasting our lives.” Unfortunately this is not the first time I have heard a student share this sentiment. Many of my students have shared this thought with me stating that they see no relation to what they are required to learn in the classroom to what they need to know to survive in society, find a job, or succeed in college.
“Standardized tests equal standardized education.” I don’t remember where, but I have heard this idea before. Sadly, I agree. Standardized test don’t require too much of students other than to recall or find ways to increase their chances of guessing the correct answers. They don’t see the value of these tests, so they do work hard to memorize information, however the memorized information will only last for a short period of time.
“We are taught that one’s own ideas and those of one’s classmates are inconsequential.” This made me sad. There are still to many educators that limit the time students are allowed to apply their knowledge during school, share with their classmates and use the internet. This is what students want. When they are not given this time to explore, share their knowledge or question, they can’t find a reason to engage in the learning. Today’s students want to be active participants. If we don’t provide this to them, they interpret it as if we don’t want to listen to them and that their ideas don’t matter and that we don’t value them as individuals.
“Traditional education needs to die. It needs to go away.” I take this as a call to action. What are you willing to do to unlearn this idea of a traditional education and learn what it takes to an create education that meets the needs of the 21st century student?