Question: How will you enable and demonstrate student-centered, standards-based learning at your school? Illustrate your vision by describing two learning experiences that show how students will learn deeply and build toward mastery.
For each learning experience, consider the following:
Harmony is beginning the fourth week of her first year. It’s been a big shift adjusting to life here: no bells tell her when to move; no teacher lectures at her; she is interacting and doing all day. Today, Harmony and her team are working with Paul Francis, owner of KIGT, to design an eco-friendly charger for electric cars, reviewing the results of yesterday’s experiment at his warehouse. At first, Harmony wanted to raise her hand and ask her teacher for everything. But even teachers are different here. Mrs. Evans, her current instructor, is roving around the lab constantly asking questions. She seldom provides answers, forcing students to discover solutions as she listens to their proposals. And between everyone in the group, the students will figure it out. Harmony and her teammates have technology and space, but it’s up to them to utilize the tools effectively.
Dressed in a suit, Jay is preparing for his final presentation at Idea Tree. Thinking back to the first time he gave a presentation makes him chuckle; he is no longer nervous speaking to a panel of professionals, not just because he’s had so many chances to do this before but because this project is his -- his passion and his product. The skills he’s gained over these four years have melded together to prepare him for this moment; the opportunities to work in the community fueled the inspiration for today’s presentation. His advisor was instrumental in helping to shape the project, but he’s grateful he’s been empowered to lead a team from inception to culmination virtually on his own. What the group shares today is the culmination of all of their work. As they step in front of the panel to propose their idea, they look polished, confident and prepared.
For each learning experience, consider the following:
- Specific learning activities students will engage in
- Knowledge and skills students will develop, and how their learning will be assessed and shared
- Role(s) teachers or other adults will play
- When and where learning will take place
- Facilities, technology, or other resources that will be needed
Harmony is beginning the fourth week of her first year. It’s been a big shift adjusting to life here: no bells tell her when to move; no teacher lectures at her; she is interacting and doing all day. Today, Harmony and her team are working with Paul Francis, owner of KIGT, to design an eco-friendly charger for electric cars, reviewing the results of yesterday’s experiment at his warehouse. At first, Harmony wanted to raise her hand and ask her teacher for everything. But even teachers are different here. Mrs. Evans, her current instructor, is roving around the lab constantly asking questions. She seldom provides answers, forcing students to discover solutions as she listens to their proposals. And between everyone in the group, the students will figure it out. Harmony and her teammates have technology and space, but it’s up to them to utilize the tools effectively.
Dressed in a suit, Jay is preparing for his final presentation at Idea Tree. Thinking back to the first time he gave a presentation makes him chuckle; he is no longer nervous speaking to a panel of professionals, not just because he’s had so many chances to do this before but because this project is his -- his passion and his product. The skills he’s gained over these four years have melded together to prepare him for this moment; the opportunities to work in the community fueled the inspiration for today’s presentation. His advisor was instrumental in helping to shape the project, but he’s grateful he’s been empowered to lead a team from inception to culmination virtually on his own. What the group shares today is the culmination of all of their work. As they step in front of the panel to propose their idea, they look polished, confident and prepared.
