Students Lead the Class
Wait, not students — Professionals
I am 22 years old and not until my senior college seminar have I ever had such a discussion. Today, in only our second meeting, I was involved in probably the most interesting and fun class discussion.
My professor has gone out on a limb to attempt a class led by the students — wait, scratch that — we are professionals. With interjections from himself, not as a leader, but a participant with a great depth of knowledge, the conversation was riveting. Looking at the experience I had, I do not think I will ever place the same value on a traditional lecture based class.
What is Hack Schooling
Take a look at Logan LaPlante’s Ted Talk on Youtube. This will give insight into the purpose and value that can be discovered in this new evolving interpretation of the way in which education functions. Overall, hack schooling is allowing the student(s) to determine the discussion, and not following a specific curriculum — which is both flexible and fun.
More information about hack schooling can be found on the Web, but this is the first reference I have to mention, and the proof of its relevance can be found in the fact of a teenage boy being featured on a Ted presentation.
What I Discovered
I found students bringing together pieces of imformation that they have picked up on throughout our shared study in New Media and Communications.
Conversations regarding power, politics, social protests, the most recent election cycle. Any media studies professor can give a presentation on the topic of “what is new media,” and I have had many of those, but I have never had the experience of listening to an abundance of varying perspectives, and particular interests.
I have never had to think in the moment and construct an idea off of a chain of related, but debatable topics. Operating in the moment, in the heat of discussion, was the most valuable occurrence of this new experience.
The rest of the class is to function in this manner, and I am excited to see what comes of it.
