I spent a while today reading a paper that Will Richardson mentioned in his latest blog. It’s called “The Right to Learn: Identifying Precedents for Sustainable Change“.
The paper talked about the need for a significant change in the essential framework of our schools, allowing learning to be self-directed, and encouraging students to follow their interests and passions.
I thought about the nature of the young child. When we were young, we played wonderful, imaginative games. We taught school to our friends or stuffed animals, pretended to be firefighters or astronauts, played doctor, put on shows where we sang or danced for our friends and family, or put a variety of seeds and plants in a bucket and made magic potions or stews. We imagined what it would be like to teach, be on stage, cook gourmet meals, and heal the sick. But tragically, this period of exploration is short-lived. By third grade (if not sooner) we have squashed that wonderful creativity that came so naturally. I could cry when I see my third graders walking around the playground bored, claiming there’s nothing to do. What have we done??
Have you ever asked a teenager what their interests or passions are? How many graduating seniors do you know that have no idea what they want to do with their lives, or what they want to study? All they know is what has been fed to them at school – They have never had the opportunity to explore or try different things, so they have no idea what their interests or passions are!
In our current system we are delivering every child an education. This amounts to feeding them a boxed lunch education that is the same for every child regardless of talent, ability, personality, interest, or background. Do we leave any time or opportunity for them to focus on the things that interest them? If we don’t give students this “right to learn”, we shouldn’t be surprised when they reach high school or college and have no idea what they want to do with their lives…
The world has changed. Facts and information are available 24/7 with a quick Internet search. Our students must know how to channel this technology, and become creative, innovative problem solvers that can make significant contributions to the new world. The boxed lunch has gone bad and is no longer nourishing. The time for change has come.
My question is this – How do we change the current framework of our schools to meet the needs of our students? What can schools do to start moving in this direction? How do we bring back the freedom to think, explore, and discover?
Patti, once again you’re right on the money with your thoughts. This is why the concept of IB units of inquiry is so exciting. It allows children to follow where their curiosity leads. It allows teachers to learn daily along with them. No more sage on the stage but now a guide on the side, experiencing along with them as they find new ideas and information to delight and inform. I’m so happy to work for a Head of School who is on the cutting edge of all things educational!!! I know you’re having a similar experience with the PLP this year. Hooray for learning in all of its complexities!
I have been thinking about your question, “How do we bring back the freedom to think, explore and discover?” Since learning begins at home, it is parents that will need to do some changing. Too many parents “entertain” their children every hour of the day and night going and doing. If the children aren’t being entertained by the parents then, they are hooked into an electronic device and unplugged from the real world. No longer do you see the children outside playing all day making nature stews, playing school or building lemonade stands. My point is that this cannot be solely the schools responsibility, society, not just educators need to see this need as well. We need to slow down and unplug.
D –
You make an excellent point! The responsibility should be shared. In addition to that imaginative play, parents should expose their children to the arts, museums, and other experiences that might help them find their path.
There are great problem-solving skills to be gained from video/computer games, and good collaborative skills from social networking — But like everything else, they should be utilized in moderation.