That bit about the UK dropout rate? It's not just a UK problem. I bet if you asked most adults about their school experience, you'd hear a lot of the same frustrations. Sit still, shut up, memorize, repeat. It's like we're training kids to be robots instead of, well, humans.
I love this idea of a "studio school" though. It reminds me of this amazing art teacher I had back in the day. Instead of lecturing us about brush techniques, she'd set us loose on these wild projects and float around the room, offering advice and encouragement. I learned more in that class than in any of my "sit and listen" courses.
Yes Neela, a universal problem for sure. Sounds like your art teacher really got it, as art lends itself more naturally to the "studio" approach. Can be applied to every subject I think.
Both/and not either/or. Yes, group projects can motivate and encourage cooperation. But a lot of education is about abstractions that might best be learned by listening to someone who already understands them and then engaging with them quietly, individually, and with perseverance. A "studio school" can produce expert craftspeople, but engineering requires more of an understanding of why something works than that it does. You've either learned the underlying rules that can remain invisible to a craftsperson or you haven't. It is hard, personal work. For many, it will never produce the immediate satisfaction of "projects." It requires a love of learning beyond the satisfaction of getting something done. Ironically, our short-term-results-oriented capitalism is all about "getting something done," while building a future requires a confident grasp of the absract.
Completely agree with you Mitch! The "quiet individual perseverance" sessions are absolutely necessary for domain mastery. They're like the fruits and vegetables kids gotta eat 'cause they're healthy. But they must always be in the service of and linked to the main course/dessert which is the team projects to maintain energy and engagement.
That bit about the UK dropout rate? It's not just a UK problem. I bet if you asked most adults about their school experience, you'd hear a lot of the same frustrations. Sit still, shut up, memorize, repeat. It's like we're training kids to be robots instead of, well, humans.
I love this idea of a "studio school" though. It reminds me of this amazing art teacher I had back in the day. Instead of lecturing us about brush techniques, she'd set us loose on these wild projects and float around the room, offering advice and encouragement. I learned more in that class than in any of my "sit and listen" courses.
Thank you for sharing Baird.
I hope you do have a fantastic week ahead.
Yes Neela, a universal problem for sure. Sounds like your art teacher really got it, as art lends itself more naturally to the "studio" approach. Can be applied to every subject I think.
Both/and not either/or. Yes, group projects can motivate and encourage cooperation. But a lot of education is about abstractions that might best be learned by listening to someone who already understands them and then engaging with them quietly, individually, and with perseverance. A "studio school" can produce expert craftspeople, but engineering requires more of an understanding of why something works than that it does. You've either learned the underlying rules that can remain invisible to a craftsperson or you haven't. It is hard, personal work. For many, it will never produce the immediate satisfaction of "projects." It requires a love of learning beyond the satisfaction of getting something done. Ironically, our short-term-results-oriented capitalism is all about "getting something done," while building a future requires a confident grasp of the absract.
Completely agree with you Mitch! The "quiet individual perseverance" sessions are absolutely necessary for domain mastery. They're like the fruits and vegetables kids gotta eat 'cause they're healthy. But they must always be in the service of and linked to the main course/dessert which is the team projects to maintain energy and engagement.
Thanks for reading and commenting!