Social discussion of CS in K-12

["Reese, George Clifford" <reese AT illinois.edu>]

Shifters,

During my brief few minutes at the Academy High presentation, I spied Martin Wolske and asked him to share his notes with me later.

He did.
With his permission, I am now sharing those with the group.

 

George

 

 

From: Wolske, Martin B
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2016 1:15 PM
To: Reese, George Clifford
Subject: Academy high

 

Here's a few quick notes from the meeting. I'd be happy to debrief more-maybe next ctrl-shift?  

 

Experiential, project-based learning, portfolio-based assessment pedagogy. students pursuing their passion for life. 

 

Mostly positive time, although certainly negative toward traditional schools (nut targeted towards public schools directly). They tapped into fear that student may not get into Stanford because they look like 1700 other students. Noted history of an educational model taken from the Prussian army that has informed traditional schools, something inadequate fur the 21st century. 

 

Tapping into idea that academy high will transform education for all students in Champaign Urbana. Pedagogical model that interconnects different core classes with each other and the real world. Also includes modules designed by students at the start of a semester, as well as a collaboratively for independent study, research, internships, and a capstone project. 

 

Nothing radically new to those of us in ctrl-shift. Indeed, the model is quite intriguing. Questions that come to mind:

* Must reform like this come from the outside through such a private school? 

How do we level the policy playing field for public schools by opening up opportunities for such experiments within public schools? 

* What are we truly teaching by taking students out of the public system while trying to teach collaboration and civic engagement? 

* Do we need such an alternative school to teach an alternative model of school so that they can change legislation and policies, and become next gen teachers and administrators? 

 

Questions from audience focused on schedules and other such details, how to teach students to be cosmopolitan, how long consultants will be available to bring in their expertise (Champaign high school teacher if high achieving students asked this-insinuated innovation requires such consultant support), how students will be selected (not decided yet, but wanting students who want to learn-individual interview what are the questions student is asking), tuition and location (expect to have that set in the next 3 months), might it be too early to have students specialize via student-driven modules, what will be in it for the community (want collaboration with public schools, workshops for teachers open to all, learning competitions, advisory board including area public educators and other youth orgs to overcome separation in the area, internships with groups all over stress), ...

 

Left at 1:15 so missed last questions from the audience. 

 

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device