By: Gayle
Diana
We have all heard
about the flipped classroom where learning is supplemented through online
learning and videos and the teacher can give more attention to individual
students. Online course are becoming the
norm for many students to choose from in a college setting where all learning
is done completely online. What would
happen if we took both of these concepts and implemented them into a high
school? Students would have a completely
versatile curriculum and decide how they wanted to learn.
In
Quakertown Schools, PA, they have implemented a “college” environment. Students are able to choose whether they
prefer to complete their four years of high school on-line, partially on-line,
or face to face. The curriculum is student
centered and technology infused. What do
you think; would you want to be a part of a curriculum such as this?
They have
seen many benefits since beginning this new curriculum. Attendance has increased, SAT scores have
risen, and overall students to graduate have improved. With the assistance of educators and
1:1/BYOD, they have created a blended learning for all students. Some students choose to be at school all day
or only a handful of periods.
Gayle,
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of this sounds great but I do think that students in high school are still developing their social skills and need to be around other students and teachers. Maybe their senior year they could have the option to have a partially online schooling. It would help to prepare those students that are looking to go to college and those that still need the social interaction. I do not think giving 9th grade students the option would be a great idea because I do not think they are mature enough yet to make those types of decisions for themselves.
I do agree with Francesca that students at that level in high school still need to build on their social skills. It should be a test of time for students to show how responsible they are about their learning. The blended learning for high school students probably works because students know that if they do not put in the work especially for the online classes, it is their back that is on the line. Face to face and partial online would ensure that students have the support they need when they are struggling. This kind of program give students the flexibility to learn how they see fit.
ReplyDeleteI think that in order for this concept to be successful, the students would have to be very disciplined! I know that I sometimes struggle with staying on topic for assignments when I have the entire internet at my fingertips.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of "personalized learning" sounds great, but in reality, it can be very isolating and it deprives our students of the social skills they need to thrive in the real world. The idea of having students pick their own curriculum is exciting and does mimic a more specialized type of study, which is what we need to diversify our workforce.
ReplyDeleteSo a 14 year old chooses such an important decision? Most seniors are not even ready to choose what to major in when they go to college, (something our society has insisted all students must do), so I really disagree with freshman students being able to make this choice wisely. Obviously, I'd hope parents would be very involved, but I think I agree with Francesca - maybe just for senior year, or even half or a quarter of the year.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the courses I have taken at NYIT, and according to the Daneilson model so many districts have embraced, the social contructivist approach seems to promote learning and higher order thinking best. According to chapter 1 in our "Theory and Practice" UDL book, "Active engagement with learning is gained through social processes". Furthermore it says that learning "can be an environment of expert learners only when all students are actively involved in creating knowledge and establishing its value. In other words, the learning environment itself is impacted by the engagement and progress of each learner", and it goes on to say "Research confirms that environmental changes can lead to physiological and psychological changes, including improved learning". Besides the fact that most high school students do not have the proper ability to make the decision to take high school online, and besides the fact that social growth is important, and learning to get along and collaborate with others is crucial, and participating in group activities is supremely important, the actual learning itself is far superior due to engagement. I would venture to say that the face-to-face classes I have taken at NYIT have resulted in far superior actual learning than my online ones, despite how well the online course was structured and despite how excellent the professor was. Nothing can replace live, face-to-face human contact, not even zoom.
ReplyDelete