What are three characteristics that would be part of a "perfect school" five years from now? Think about the roles of the student, teacher, and technology as you describe your ideal learning climate. As you consider this question, you might also think about what you might look for in your ideal college.
Please consider this question seriously and realistically, as your responses will form part of a presentation to the 21st century learning community of teachers this week.
30 comments:
I love my classes that have a variety of activities in them. I have gained so much knowledge in my Biology class simply because my teacher does fun review activities. I like this because it helps me to retain more information. So a simple review at the beginning of each class period would be wonderful.
I love discussion, I think that when set up properly where every gets a turn, it is a very effective method. Your opinion gets heard, and you can bounce ideas off of others. It is also a helpful tool to hear things. A completey discussion based class would be wonderful, no written work, just discussion.
I also think that a class for 45 minutes every day is much more effective than an hour long class three times a week, or twice a week. It is nice to have the break from some classes, but I feel that the level of knowledge that is retained is much greater if you are in the class everyday.
1. Block schedule: 3 classes a day for an hour and 30 minutes each. Math, English, and History on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday will be Science and two other classes (i.e. art and physical education).
2. Laptop orientated classes: Each student is issued a laptop to use for each class. This will be beneficial for research and word processing papers.
3. Class size: 40 students. Class is orientated in a way which students can have forum discussions and also have a chance to do group projects.
In five years, my "perfect school" would look something like this: classes would be no longer than an hour, similar to what we have now. We wouldn't have block days, we would have every class everyday. Also, the entire school would be a laptop school, but the difference would be that each student would have their own laptop, that they took from class to class and then took it home that night. It was entirely theirs. Along with this, the school would be paperless competely. Not one assignment, project, lecture, or notes would be taken on paper. And finally, there would be a lot of group work. I tend to work better in a group, so most in-class activities and projects would be done with a group.
My ideal school would be paperless. Included in that is the absence of text books. I believe that textbooks are not all that helpful, and only contribute to the progression of our back problems. I think everything should be electronic; each student should have their own laptop.
I also think integrated classes would be cool awesome. I think the subjects should mesh with each other, and there should be a greater amount of collaboration between teachers.
Finally, I think class sizes should be a lot smaller. I think 15 to 20 kids is the perfect size, as there is still a large pool of ideas to productively draw from, yet it is still small enough to provide ample personal attention.
I think that having laptops available for all classes would make taking notes and being organized easier for all students. Also, this would make it simple to turn in notes and assignments and would conserve paper.
In college, my ideal class would be three days a week but longer then classes now. I like having longer classes less frequently because it gives you a chance to get homework done and class time can be used to discuss without running out of time.
Overall I think that the perfect school would use more technology and have the needed resources available to all students. If everyone had a laptop, communication would be easier and more efficient.
I believe that three characteristics that would be a part of a "perfect school" include each student having their own personal lap top, the school having no text books what so ever, and smaller class sizes for individual attention.
By each student having their own lap top at school, it would become paperless and more efficient.
Text books are really annoying to carry from school to home and back, by having the text books be online or by having different options than an oversized text book, it would also make school more efficient.
Smaller class sizes lead to more individual attention from your teachers, helping students learn more than they could before.
The ideal school for me would look like this:
No busy work: The assignments given would have meaning to understanding the subject.
As for Projects: No group projects. Ever. There always will be that one person who has to do everything by themselves. Teachers should also talk with eachother about what they are assigning, and they will block their projects out for certain time periods, kind of like a team, or cluster arrangement. This way the students will not have like five projects and tests all at the same time, due on the same day. That would be the best aspect to change.
Assigned Reading: The books would have more variety. Students would be able to pick the books they read, so that there won't be a boring unit where everyone hates the book they have to read. (Not that any of the books this year are boring. I have just had that experience in the past.
Three characteristics that I would like in my perfect school are relationships, responsibility, and trust. There are already good student teacher relationships, but I would like to see them build to where students know they can ask their teachers anything without having one thought of doubt. Also the students need to be independent, but need to show responsibility. They need to show that they have things really under control before they have the freedom to do what they want. This is a step that will lead to college. Trust between student and teacher needs to be established as well. Questions are always raised for honesty and hopefully technology can help lower cheating and issues that cause mistrust. These characteristics are what I would like to see in the future.
Hmm...Three characteristics, huh?
Well, one I belive Arapahoe already has; the availability of the teachers. This is really important, and I think that Arapahoe can expand even more on that subject. Since we are trying to involve the wondrous technology, then why not set up instant messaging accounts (skype?) that allow the students with laptops to directly contact their teachers?
Another school characteristic I would like would be somewhere where students can freely study after school. Sure, the cafeteria is open until 3:15 (which, they generally kick us out earlier), but considering I am supposed to have at least an hour's worth of homework in each subject, there's no way that'd work. And, yes, there's a library down the street, but you would not believe how crowded it is already...
The last major characteristic would be the blending of athletics and academics. I know this is a bit odd, but think about it. WHat if you were passing the basketball around and each player recieved it and said the next step you needed to solve the problem, for example, you can have the instructor say, "2x + 4 = 8," and the players would go around saying, "Subtract 4 from both sides, " and then, "Divide both sides by 2." I think that that would be an excellent way to practice mental math and stay active at the same time.
Yep, there we go!
-Anna W.
In a Perfect school there should be more of a chance to take the classes we want to. The practical and fine arts and P.E. classes are hard to fit into the schedule. There should also be scheduling for 2nd semester right before second semester. It's hard to figure out what you want to take 6 months in advance. If you really like a class and you want to take the next step you should be able to take it the next semester. You never know what your going to want to continue with unless you have taken the introductory course. I also think that the 20/20 vision idea of having a focus was good but it seemed a little extravagant. I think that the electives you’re required to take should be determined by interest and college requirements. If you are really into computers and you are in a sport, besides swimming and personal survival. If that happens there should be a chance to switch "majors" as well. I also believe 4 years of any sport should make up for the rest of the P.E. requirements so that you can spend those hours in computer apps or tech studies. 4 seasons of a sport should make up for elective P.E. credits. I also think that music should be allowed for students to listen to as long as work is getting done.
My vision for the classes would change the size and structure. Having smaller classes with around 10 to 15 students makes the learning experience more personal and it is easier to get help from the teacher. The smaller class can also help you get to know your classmates and teacher on a personal level, which will make the class more enjoyable. The structure of classes should change to a wireless room with every student using a laptop. The laptops make the efficiency level go way up and save paper. Students are able to share information and documents easily. These changes would make classes more efficient and enjoyable.
I feel that the perfect learning environment has to do mostly with the people in it; which, I guess, cannot really be controlled. It just seems like for me, personally, it is significantly easier to learn, focus, and participate in classes where the students, and teacher, alike, feel passionate about the course. For instance, it is much more difficult to engage or learn in an environment where none of the people around you care about what you are learning. It is a much better environment when the students and teachers of a class feel interested or inspired by the subject. Now I realize that this is not very easy to control seeing is how you cannot pick and choose who will be in a class with you, or who your teacher will be, necessarily. However, I think this ideal environment can be worked towards and there are many ways that could help both students and teachers to get more enthusiastic about learning. If classrooms and classes were made into more positive and fun places to work, more people would feel optimistic about the subject they are studying, whatever that subject may be. Technology helps a lot in this area. Having laptops in classrooms opens up many possibilities to creative and fun ways to learn, while also serving as a modern and relevant way to learn in today's society. Also, incorporating students individual interests can help students to become more excited about learning. When students have a way to connect their personal interests to what they are learning, they are much more likely to find ways to enjoy what they are learning. I’m sure that lots of classes today are already taking part in these sorts of approaches to making learning more exciting. It would just be optimum if all classes could function this way because I feel that making learning more exciting and interesting makes it much more worthwhile.
One thing that is important to me in a learning environment is the ability to get everyone involved in the learning. I think that by this, there needs to be a smaller class, around 20 people or so. I think by this, there is the chance to feel more connected to both the students and the teacher. With more of a connection to the surrounding people in the environment, I feel that there is a more of a level of understanding because students are comfortable. As to what goes on in the classroom, I think that there should stay a variety of activities, but ultimately it depends on the personality of the class. I say that group projects are great, but only when done in class, and HAS to be done in class. I think that projects that are left outside of class get lost in the lives of the numerous people in the group. I would suggest at least a couple projects for outside the classroom though, not too many, just so that students can take responsibility and realize what their priorities are. Ultimately, I do think that individual projects outside the class would be the best because it allows more of a connection to the material. The projects as a result can be shared in class and then ideas could then be reflected among one another. As for the structure of the class, I do think that a mix of teacher lecture and student based learning should be incorporated into the classroom, but leaning more on the student side. I believe that bigger concepts have to be based from the teacher, because otherwise students might not understand what is expected out of them in that assignment. However, I think that once they gain understanding of the concept of the topic, the learning should be put into their own hands. I think that visual activities are great! For me, being visual is so hard to do at first. By doing a visual activity, it forces me to work hard. Fishbowls also are a GREAT way for students to take control. Students are so opinionated on everything, and fishbowls allow SO many ideas to bounce off of one another. I think that being included in that is an amazing way of learning too.
Overall, the key for learning ini the future, in my opinion, is variety in a small environment.
I think that in my ideal school the classroom sizes would be smaller maybe around 15-20 people so that you could build more of a relationship between the teacher and students as well as students to students. I think that technology is a great resource and should be utilized, but at the same time, I think that an over use of it takes away from the learning environment and social skills. Sometimes by depending on technology for everything is ineffective because it losses the personal relational part of learning. I think it would be a neat freedom for students if there was a personal influence to their schedules depending upon the student's strengths and interests so that they have more classes in these areas. I think it is important for students to sometimes learn independently but also I think that the teacher is the teacher and is there for the purpose of helping students learn.
My ideal classroom would not be only lectures. I really love big discussions with lots of points flying in, without exclusion (as what happens in fishbowls). I feel like sometimes other people have better views or different views of a topic which can create a whole range of information that you get from the topic and can help you to better understand the idea of what you are learning!
On another note, I think powerpoints can be good, but sometimes they lead to mindless note-taking and then day dreaming. Plus, when you get home and you do not have the right knowledge of the bulleted information, you can get confused, over-research, and virtually waste your time.
Something else that would be ideal to me, personally, is a study guide for tests, finals, etc. Sometimes teachers give you SO much information, and it is really dificult to process everything. When you study for the test, you then end up studying too much. I really like study guides because they also give you a sense of confidence that you know what you need to know, and you have no excuse to feel nervous if you studied really well!
I feel like laptops can be useful when taking notes or writing an essay, but when teachers create activities to use BECAUSE the class has access to laptops, I feel like it's more busywork or distracting to the kids than it is to have group discussions or write things down. To relate the laptops into the future, I think they would be convenient for sharing information, and saving paper! You could also post notes about the day's discussion, so that no one fell behind or so they could contemplate things long after they left the classroom, to further learn!
In my mind, the perfect school would be lead more by the students. Classes would be more discussion based, and students would lead the discussions, rather than the teachers. There would also be less classes that meet daily, so more classes could meet in a week. Projects and essay topics would be left up to the student, and there would only be guidelines to help out. Most grades would be based on projects, rather than busywork and small homework assignments. Overall, the school would be more student friendly and offer more freedom to the individual student.
I find that I learn more in a discussion based class. Classes where students circle up and talk about information capture my attention and provoke me to think. With this structure, I am able to draw my own conclusions about the material, and my teacher is not telling me what to think. Instead, the teacher is teaching me how to think, and enabling me to consider ideas independently. Overall, I think students should be in a learning environment where they facilitate their own learning, and the teacher is there to guide them. However, I find that math is easier for me to learn when lectures are given, and the information required is presented in a way that allows me to take notes. Math is a subject where only one answer is really possible, and I want to be taught in a clear way how to compute answers correctly.
I think that technology is a useful addition to the classroom. The possibilities introduced by laptops enhance learning and allow for a more diverse style of learning. For example, in a fishbowl discussion, those who are not part of the inner circle are able to join in the conversation if live blogging is available. This opportunity is only possible if use of technology is provided in the classroom.
I believe that the idea of a "perfect school" cannot be fully achieved but that Arapahoe High School can come close to fulfilling that goal.
1. Classes would need to be made smaller to accommodate to the needs of each student, and so that teachers could feel like they have enough time to attend to each students personal needs.
2. I believe that in one given school day, there should be anywhere between three and four classes, which would allow enough time for all tasks to be completed and would allow enough time for students to ask the needed questions that many students "these days" don't feel that they have the time to ask because of such short classes.
3. The third part of trying to obtain a "perfect school" would be mandatory conferences with each teacher three to four times/month. This would give each student the time and the opportunity to ask questions about their personal confusions and about things that they think are too "stupid or dumb" to ask during their class time in front or their classmates.
With these new changes, I believe that Arapahoe High School could become one of the first schools that could be classified as a “perfect school” !!!!
Three Characteristics I hope to see in my future school, either Arapahoe or my college would be integrity, integration, and communication. I want teachers to be able to trust students with the technology given, so much that projects and whole assignments will be given through email, and projects will be turned in on CD's and flash drives. Not only will this save paper, but it will save time, and Arapahoe and most colleges are already on this track towards a technology driven future. Also, I think that integration should be a big part of the future of education. Classes should incorporate all subjects into their projects and curriculum, because the real world will not be divided into math, science, English, and history. Classes should use technology to integrate as much as possible form the real world into the classroom, so we are learning the basics of life that we need, like social skills and finances. Finally, students should feel comfortable talking to their teachers. Communication is a large part of the classroom, and it should include discussion, group interaction, and communication with students and the teacher, so the class is comfortable sharing with everyone in the class, and not be scared. Plus, teachers and students should have a comfortable enough relationship that they can talk about problems and issues without fear. Arapahoe is already close to these goals, but I feel that we can get even closer, or there, in 5 years.
The most important thing I would like to see in schools in the future is the use, but not dependence upon, technology. School should be structured so that each student has a computer and uses it responsibly. However, a computer/server/internet melt down should not be cataclysmic. Teachers and students should be flexible in their use, or decisions not to use, technology in the classroom.
Class sizes should be dramatically decreased. This will allow a variance of speeds at which classes can move as well as special assisstance for those who need it.
Some classes (history, and English departments) should move in a discussion direction. However, math and sceince courses should be kept on a more traditional route keeping lecture and action at the forefront. In these classes the only way to learn is to see, hear, and do. Unlike History or English where discussion is vital to expanding the understanding of the student.
Teachers should take a more active role in instructing individuals(made possible by smaller classes) and leave less for that student to "discover" on their own. Parents also should be more involved. If the parents don't care, why should the students. Infinite Campus has helped in this area already.
And finally, the students. Students should work to become technologically savvy, but not dependent, in the areas that will enhance learning. Likewise they should care enough about education to act responsibly in the use of technology.
While I see there being many changes in schools over the next five years, in my perfect school I would see these three things:
1. Students will lead the classroom. I believe that classrooms are more successful when students guide their own learning rather than teachers. I believe teachers should play an important role, seeing as they are the teacher, but students should be more involved.
2. Smaller classes. I think when there are less students in each class, there is more one on one time with the teacher. This will help students on an individual basis and help ensure success.
3. Technology will play a role. I believe that classrooms can be more efficient with new technology. Right now there are only a couple of classrooms with laptops. If every classroom had laptops, or every student had a laptop, I believe we could be more effiecent. Laptops are just a start though. New technology continues to come out, and as technology advances, I believe we can be more and more efficient. Technology can also help students learn in a way that is suitable for any particular student. Some students are visual learners, while other are auditory learners. Technology could also help in this way.
Hey there!
I'm in Ms. Leclaire's 4th hour class. I'm so glad teachers are interested in what we think about the future of our school and what it might look like in five or ten years. I hope you'll consider the suggestions we make; I know some of them will be rather outstanding!
So. What would I LIKE AHS to look like in five years? Hahaha, apart from more parking space, I think there is a serious teacher-student relationship aspect that need to be addressed; namely, homework. I understand why we have homework. I understand that it helps us learn, espically in subjects such as math or foreign language when repetition is the only real way to master a concept. But really. As a student that, prior to Thanksgiving break, slept FIVE HOURS at the MOST when I was LUCKY, I think the amount of homework needs to be assessed. I understand some homework is neccessary and I am in no way, shape, or form suggesting that homework should be abolished. I am merely pointing out that if attention was paid to the amount pressed upon a student across the board, it would be easier on everyone, including teachers who have to grade everything we do. I'm not saying I don't think homework is important; please understand me, that is not the point I am getting at. I do believe, however, that some homework is unneccessary and just causes pain to everyone involved. As teens, we have lives outside of school. Should we stop getting homework so we can go party and go to movies and generally run about? No. But I'd like to be able to eat dinner with my family without three textbooks beside me as I try to study, chew, and talk. I'd like to save a couple dollars on the layers of foundation that are needed to hide the circles around my eyes. I'd like to be able to decorate our Christmas tree and not have the homework I have left to do looming over my head. Adults say these are the "best years of our lives;" please, leave us something to remember! All I ask is that a little control and communication be added to the current system. I think that a prime example of a class where students' lives are considered is our fourth hour American Literature Honors class! I love it. I do. Absolutely. Incredibly. Ms. Leclaire, our brilliant teacher, considers what we're being faced with. She asks what's going on in our lives. She assigns homework, yes, but never so much that we can't sleep, or can't eat. All the homework we get is important, directly applies to what we are learning, and helps further understanding. That's all we ask, really: a little understanding all around, in the subject, at home, in our lives.
Speaking of our fourth hour class, why, there's something else exciting going on there! We get to sit at tables, not rows, which I adore because it encourages talking and discussing instead of sitting in stony silence for fifty-eight minutes.
Also, we use laptops. Last year, I was against laptops. All the way. But I am willing to say I was wrong. As long as the PERSONAL aspect of teaching and learning remains, laptops make everything better. Not only can you get the opinions of other students, but you can get the opinions and knowledge of EVERYONE in the world with a computer! How awesome is that?
Thanks so much for your time, and I'm pretty sure I'll be back to visit in five years. We'll see what changes!
Yours,
Me
My perfect school 5 years from now would have several changes from the way it is today. I think classes need to be smaller, but not too small. Having about 15-20 kids allows everyone to take part and voice their opinion as well as receive more one on one help from teachers. In the classroom I enjoy having discussions and not just work sheets and busy work. Doing bigger projects that actually reflect what we have learned and not just what we can memorize and regurgitate. Having a variety of group and individual work so that it appeals to everyone and their learning style. Technology is a large part of our future and I think that laptops are great tool in the classroom. The access of the web and its information, as well as blogging, and things as clean and simple as word make learning more interesting, organized, and vast. The ability to share our work with others as well as get feedback, such as our wikispaces, is something that should be taken advantage of. Lastly, the set up of the classroom. A classroom that looks inviting and open is a much better learning environment. Instead of the windowless, blank room with the desks in perfect rows, it could be set up with tables or couches maybe. With a more decorated room with windows, lights, and even small decorations, like pictures, that brightens up the room a little.
I think one thing that really helps me is less of an importance on grades. I don't mean that everyone just gets A's, but grades are given out more on a basis of what the student has learned, not so much "do good on this test and you get an A, fail and you fail the class". Classes like this just make me focus on getting the work done so that I can get a good grade, regardless of whether I learn anything or not, the grade is all that matters.
Another thing that would help me would be laptops in all classes. I have been very lucky to have had three classes with laptops so far, and they have dramatically increased my learning. The technology makes it easier to be more creative with projects and whatnot, and the internet is an invaluable source of information. I realize, however, that the cost of having laptops in every room would be enormous. Why not allow students that have their own laptops to bring them to school (like we already do), and for those students who do not own a laptop or do not wish to bring them to school, "rent" (for lack of a better word) out the school laptops. My cousin in Maine receives a laptop from her school at the beginning of the year, and it is hers to take to whatever classes she wants, take home, whatever. Just have the condition that if the laptop is lost or damaged in any way, the student must pay for all costs. According to my cousin, this has worked out great and the school has had very few problems, and the few that have arisen were easily solved.
And I agree with Jordan, textbooks are a pain. if we could put them all online or something or get rid of them complatley, that would be great
I definitely agree with what kenna_d said. We have the same teacher for Biology (Syers) and she makes it so much fun, bringing great review activities to class with candy rewards and just being plain hilarious.
As for the role of tecnology in the classroom...I really had to think about this one. Kakos said that we didn't even have laptops up until 3 years ago and now we have how many in the building? I'm not exactly sure, but I know there are several carts of them. I think it would be absolutely great if in 5 years every student was able to have a laptop issued by the school. This way, students can just take their school work home with them, and not have to worry about losing papers, wasting paper, or even saving things to the ever handy jump drive.
My cousin who just this year graduated from high school in Virginia, went to a school where everyone got to have a laptop and an e-mail address specific to the school, similar to college. And even though this was a private school, he was one lucky kid! Before I knew this, I felt lucky to get them one hour a day!
As for class time, I also agree with kenna_d on this one. I feel like I would retain knowledge better having a class everyday (like English) for a time like 45 minutes. Homework for classes that I only have 3 times a week usually gets neglected until the night before, and by that time, I have forgotten everything I learned in the previous class.
After reading through what other people have said a little more, I also agree with anna w's comment about combining athletics with academics. This would be a great idea! I love sports and this would be a great way to learn things and whip kids into shape at the same time.
Great idea Anna!
I must say:
-I would much prefer keeping the block schedule to having class everyday.
-I would HATE to exist in a paperless school; as much as I love laptops, I find paper in schools as neccesary as air in lungs. I do, however, support smaller textbooks or a lesser amount.
-PLEASE. TEACHERS. THIS IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT. MR. BOOTH, IF YOU'RE OUT THERE, PLEASE, READ THIS! The number of classes required needs to dramatically decrease, ESPICALLY IN THE P.E. FIELD. I will have to take P.E. in zero hour and during the summer if I want to graduate. There needs to be more flexibility and less requirements if people are to graduate! The drama classes could DISAPPEAR because of all the other required classes. WE DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN! Please. Don't take fine arts away.
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