Comments on: Kids Owning the Learning http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/ Learning with the Read/Write Web Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:36:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: CWhayland http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-68116 CWhayland Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:25:07 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-68116 Wow! What a fascinating school! It sounded wonderful just reading your post, and then I went to the school's website. The school looks and sounds incredible, something you need to see with your own eyes! I completely agree with kids owning the learning. I think they will get so much more out of their learning if they feel they were a part in creating it. Wow! What a fascinating school! It sounded wonderful just reading your post, and then I went to the school’s website. The school looks and sounds incredible, something you need to see with your own eyes! I completely agree with kids owning the learning. I think they will get so much more out of their learning if they feel they were a part in creating it.

]]> By: » Sitting Still is Torture Brian’s TRT Blog http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-67025 » Sitting Still is Torture Brian’s TRT Blog Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:56:55 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-67025 [...] Richardson’s Webblogg-ed has an interesting observation of a school in Australia. In the post “Kids Owning the Learning”, Richardson writes about the building’s inquiry based learning and the atmosphere of intensive [...] [...] Richardson’s Webblogg-ed has an interesting observation of a school in Australia. In the post “Kids Owning the Learning”, Richardson writes about the building’s inquiry based learning and the atmosphere of intensive [...]

]]> By: John Pearce http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66975 John Pearce Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:41:50 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66975 Hi Will, Interesting that Em makes reference to Bellaire PS as I was part of the team that initiated the Senior Learning Unit to which she refers to. It is also the school that I was thinking of when I asked about the extension of the PLP cohort further in Australia. Whilst you will find lots of similarities between BPS and Wooranna Park, there are also some interesting differences. As Graham W suggests, it was a pity that you (understandably), weren't able to spend a little more time down under. If and when you do return it would be my pleasure to "tee up" a visit to BPS, plus a little Aussie hospitality on the side. Either way I shall be exploring further how I might encourage them down the PLP path. As to Moe's point about schools such as WPS and BPS and Chris Lehmann's etc, whilst the authorities and indeed the school admin may indeed promote these schools for their own agendas, I can say from personal experience that the teachers involved at BPS have done the hard yards under less than ideal conditions to establish an ethos and approach often quite independently of these same administrators. I should also note that both WPS and BPS shared a similar quite drab and unstimulating architecture prior to the moves undertaken to free up space. Most of the continuing development of the school buildings especially at BPS is at best a piecemeal adaptation which has been skilfully managed out of scarce resources. Once again though the key ingredient is the hard work and dedication of the teachers and the students. It is probably more to the point that as you rightly point out there are so few examples of these such schools that they stand out as beacons, that is not your's or the school's fault but a failure of others to take up these challenges. Hi Will,

Interesting that Em makes reference to Bellaire PS as I was part of the team that initiated the Senior Learning Unit to which she refers to. It is also the school that I was thinking of when I asked about the extension of the PLP cohort further in Australia. Whilst you will find lots of similarities between BPS and Wooranna Park, there are also some interesting differences. As Graham W suggests, it was a pity that you (understandably), weren’t able to spend a little more time down under. If and when you do return it would be my pleasure to “tee up” a visit to BPS, plus a little Aussie hospitality on the side. Either way I shall be exploring further how I might encourage them down the PLP path.

As to Moe’s point about schools such as WPS and BPS and Chris Lehmann’s etc, whilst the authorities and indeed the school admin may indeed promote these schools for their own agendas, I can say from personal experience that the teachers involved at BPS have done the hard yards under less than ideal conditions to establish an ethos and approach often quite independently of these same administrators. I should also note that both WPS and BPS shared a similar quite drab and unstimulating architecture prior to the moves undertaken to free up space. Most of the continuing development of the school buildings especially at BPS is at best a piecemeal adaptation which has been skilfully managed out of scarce resources. Once again though the key ingredient is the hard work and dedication of the teachers and the students. It is probably more to the point that as you rightly point out there are so few examples of these such schools that they stand out as beacons, that is not your’s or the school’s fault but a failure of others to take up these challenges.

]]> By: moe http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66963 moe Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:50:34 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66963 Highlighting schools that hold an abundance of social and cultural capital is not an effective means of promoting pedagogical reform. Highlighting "model" schools as the driving force behind educational reform is ineffective and insulting to vast majority of school children that are struggling to survive in dilapidated, outdated, underfunded schools. There is no question schools such as the one highlighted in your post are achieving great things and I applaud them for advancing education beyond the standardized, hegemonic power structure of school bureaucracy for the sake of the student. The down side is that promoting such schools as the “models” only contributes fodder to the meritocratic notion that this is the way all education should be or "look” like. Your promotion of a school here and science academy there that possess the necessary capital to implant such cutting edge pedagogy completely ignores 90% of public school students and teachers who dig in the "trenches" and work with what they have. How many inner city or rural poor schools are you visiting or better yet how many state departments of education are you and your blogger cronies lobbying to equalize access to the Internet regardless of local tax laws? You are commoditizing education with statements like "I want my kid to go to this school" that props-up the materialism of the elite while reinforcing the lack of the poor… Highlighting schools that hold an abundance of social and cultural capital is not an effective means of promoting pedagogical reform. Highlighting “model” schools as the driving force behind educational reform is ineffective and insulting to vast majority of school children that are struggling to survive in dilapidated, outdated, underfunded schools. There is no question schools such as the one highlighted in your post are achieving great things and I applaud them for advancing education beyond the standardized, hegemonic power structure of school bureaucracy for the sake of the student. The down side is that promoting such schools as the “models” only contributes fodder to the meritocratic notion that this is the way all education should be or “look” like. Your promotion of a school here and science academy there that possess the necessary capital to implant such cutting edge pedagogy completely ignores 90% of public school students and teachers who dig in the “trenches” and work with what they have. How many inner city or rural poor schools are you visiting or better yet how many state departments of education are you and your blogger cronies lobbying to equalize access to the Internet regardless of local tax laws? You are commoditizing education with statements like “I want my kid to go to this school” that props-up the materialism of the elite while reinforcing the lack of the poor…

]]> By: Bill Ferriter http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66952 Bill Ferriter Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:16:39 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66952 Graham wrote: The key is effective and visionary leadership - and that is something that is very hard to scale across a large public education system. Great point, Graham...I can see this kind of work happening in schools in the States as long as they had the right kind of principal and superintendent on board. The challenge, then, become a few questions for us to hang on the digital walls of the edusphere: <b><i>Are effective and visionary leaders born or made? Is it possible to develop innovation in everyone?</i></b> Those are questions I haven't yet figured out the answers to. Bill Graham wrote:
The key is effective and visionary leadership – and that is something that is very hard to scale across a large public education system.

Great point, Graham…I can see this kind of work happening in schools in the States as long as they had the right kind of principal and superintendent on board.

The challenge, then, become a few questions for us to hang on the digital walls of the edusphere:

Are effective and visionary leaders born or made?

Is it possible to develop innovation in everyone?

Those are questions I haven’t yet figured out the answers to.

Bill

]]> By: William Evans http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66951 William Evans Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:18:42 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66951 This highlight of your trip certainly wants me to tear down some of the "work" off our school walls. The segment about process not product...priceless. Any school willing to put up a structure designed by the students is going to get "ownership" of learning at the highest level. Our school is going green and are in the process of writing grants for new efficient lighting. The upper and middle school students are running the show! Great connection. Why not have the Australian school a model for all! This highlight of your trip certainly wants me to tear down some of the “work” off our school walls. The segment about process not product…priceless. Any school willing to put up a structure designed by the students is going to get “ownership” of learning at the highest level. Our school is going green and are in the process of writing grants for new efficient lighting. The upper and middle school students are running the show! Great connection. Why not have the Australian school a model for all!

]]> By: Mitchell Armour http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66945 Mitchell Armour Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:26:55 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66945 I think that letting the students design the school was a great idea. A big problem in schools is students having pride in their school. By giving the students the opportunity to do this not only gives school pride but also helps with teaching the skill of making decisions, which is a great skill to aquire. I think that letting the students design the school was a great idea. A big problem in schools is students having pride in their school. By giving the students the opportunity to do this not only gives school pride but also helps with teaching the skill of making decisions, which is a great skill to aquire.

]]> By: Stacy http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66943 Stacy Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:55:02 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66943 I definately agree this is a school that I would enjoy sending my children too. I think it is great that they are allowing the students to have a say in what happens in their school and what the design looks like because then they'll be more willing to come and participate. I'm guessing they have a high success rate. I definately agree this is a school that I would enjoy sending my children too. I think it is great that they are allowing the students to have a say in what happens in their school and what the design looks like because then they’ll be more willing to come and participate. I’m guessing they have a high success rate.

]]> By: Kay McNulty http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66940 Kay McNulty Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:11:56 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66940 Will, so nice to know this school is out there! I recently had the opportunity to design a few classrooms through a grant - we created flexible collaborative spaces that kids would be able to flourish in....it seems the administration is now not happy with the design since testing season is approaching and each student does not have an individual desk. They want to take all the furniture out so that the old desks can go back in to allow for students to be seated in rows. Will, so nice to know this school is out there!
I recently had the opportunity to design a few classrooms through a grant – we created flexible collaborative spaces that kids would be able to flourish in….it seems the administration is now not happy with the design since testing season is approaching and each student does not have an individual desk. They want to take all the furniture out so that the old desks can go back in to allow for students to be seated in rows.

]]> By: Charlie A. Roy http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66923 Charlie A. Roy Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:00:28 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66923 Thanks for sharing this post. Sounds like a great visit. The student government idea is very intriguing. Any schools you know of here in the States who operate on a similar philosophy? Thanks for sharing this post. Sounds like a great visit. The student government idea is very intriguing. Any schools you know of here in the States who operate on a similar philosophy?

]]> By: ED483 - Blogs to Follow | ED 483 Blog http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66922 ED483 - Blogs to Follow | ED 483 Blog Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:24:06 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66922 [...] read “Kids Owning the Learning” via Weblogg-ed by Will [...] [...] read “Kids Owning the Learning” via Weblogg-ed by Will [...]

]]> By: Maria M http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66921 Maria M Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:10:10 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66921 Thanks Will for letting us know about this school. I really wish newer teachers like myself could have the chance to tour some of these types of schools as part of their teacher-education program, and to have a greater sense for what innovation in teaching and learning can look like and that it does exist, if only marginally, in reality. This is another great example for my own learning. Thanks Will for letting us know about this school. I really wish newer teachers like myself could have the chance to tour some of these types of schools as part of their teacher-education program, and to have a greater sense for what innovation in teaching and learning can look like and that it does exist, if only marginally, in reality. This is another great example for my own learning.

]]> By: Hulu to the future? « http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66918 Hulu to the future? « Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:59:38 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66918 [...] Life’ class. Does software have to be ‘linear’, given that some of the most innovative learning environements in Australia are ones in which, as Will Richardson observes “the kids are driving the learning, from the [...] [...] Life’ class. Does software have to be ‘linear’, given that some of the most innovative learning environements in Australia are ones in which, as Will Richardson observes “the kids are driving the learning, from the [...]

]]> By: diane darrow http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66913 diane darrow Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:25:28 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66913 So amazed by this school It raised my spirits just seeing a school like this exactly exists. Any schools like this in Northern California?? Boy it would be fun to teach in an environment like this. Complete dream job. Thanks so much for sharing. Have any more to share? So amazed by this school It raised my spirits just seeing a school like this exactly exists. Any schools like this in Northern California?? Boy it would be fun to teach in an environment like this. Complete dream job. Thanks so much for sharing. Have any more to share?

]]> By: Kristen http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-66912 Kristen Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:53:52 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3167#comment-66912 Thank you for sharing, I am a teacher in NC. It is so inspiring to hear stories of schools that operate in this fashion. I am a huge advocate for technology integration and student driven/centered classes. I have been to Australia and truly enjoyed seeing their educational settings. I am glad my school strives to bring our students, staff, and curriculum into the 21st century. I look forward to sharing some of these ideas with my staff as we collaborate about school improvement. Thank you for sharing, I am a teacher in NC. It is so inspiring to hear stories of schools that operate in this fashion. I am a huge advocate for technology integration and student driven/centered classes. I have been to Australia and truly enjoyed seeing their educational settings. I am glad my school strives to bring our students, staff, and curriculum into the 21st century. I look forward to sharing some of these ideas with my staff as we collaborate about school improvement.

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