I like the concept of School 2.0 being an environment where rules and regulations are still in place, but the students are still allowed to be engaged and have fun in the classroom. Students can teach teachers just as much as teachers can teach students. If the environment is one of give and take, I think everyone will have a lot more respect in their relationships.
Asking students for an A effort is all well and good, but they need the proper motivation. The story of Conrad was a great example of this. When students get to utilize their own skills to create projects and fulfill assignments, they are more willing to do so. However, they might still only do what is necessary to get the grade. I remember being really excited when my teachers put my work on a classroom bulletin board for everyone to see, but that isn’t big enough anymore. Everyone wants their fifteen minutes of fame, so why not offer that chance? Kids want people to know who they are and what they do. Fortunately, the internet has given us that opportunity. Telling a student that the whole world can see their creation will motivate them to be amazing.
Getting students to care is one of my biggest goals. Trapping young people is a box of pre-set learning and curriculum bores them and they care less and less about the subject. Letting these students research and present something they care about is a greater motivator than a five paragraph essay on Columbus. When they get the chance to inform other people of these issues and make a difference, they are going to put all lot more energy and passion into the project. The students will start to care again.
Posted by dcrovitz on October 20, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I agree on the “care” comments. If work is just for the teacher, it’s hard for many students to invest more than the minimum. An opportunity for a wider audience puts pressure on creating something worth seeing or hearing or reading, but it also raises the rewards as well.