This has such a great transparency compared to the notion of standardized tests. Students visibly learning from older peers.
A2 Thanks for putting together the resources and starting the bookclub, Elsa! I’m eager to discuss it and share ideas with others. I just shared some reflections on my own experience that are partially connected to content. Unfortunately, I think it’s the case that many independent schools privilege content above other skills, thanks to the arms race…
Q3: Full disclosure-Rachel Wolfe is a former student and now friend! And I’m in her documentary… so clearly I agree with her that the definition of “success” is too narrow today. I teach at Scarsdale High School and had many of the students in her documentary. When I first began teaching here seven years ago I was stunned by students’ preoccupation…
Mark, I love this!! I was laughing out loud imagining the pirate scene. It’s so wonderful that your engagement was rewarded by your teacher rather than being reprimanded for deviating from the ‘instructions.’
Any top tips or lessons learned this past decade, that you might share on how to move towards letting students direct their own learning and supporting them to do so?
Q1. I guess that my definition of success is finding something that you’re passionate about and pursuing it. And that thing could change as you get older. And the path to success is never linear-at least not for me! I am lucky enough to have had several things that I am passionate about and have pursued over the years. I started with an obsession…
