Comments on: The Three “E’s”

By: Digital Magic #8 « ‘Practic-All’

Digital Magic #8 « ‘Practic-All’ — Mon, 26 May 2008 01:50:41 +0000

[...] The Three E’s [...]

By: Examples of Empowered Students « Ed Tech Journeys

Examples of Empowered Students « Ed Tech Journeys — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:52:47 +0000

[...] 14, 2008 by Pete Reilly In my recent post the “Three ‘E’s”, I make the case that the true evolution of public education should track from teachers who [...]

By: Heidi

Heidi — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:47:45 +0000

That makes sense to me.
Not having experience with older kids made me wonder how that would work.

I agree that it’s incredibly powerful for kids to at least be asked what’s working/not working from their perspective - and as they’re capable, to actually be at the table for decision making.

When given more freedom over HOW they deliver an end result, I’m always impressed with what they produce - it almost always exceeds my expectations!

Thanks for the feedback!
Heidi

By: Pete Reilly

Pete Reilly — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:57:16 +0000

Heidi,
Remember, we are not ceding total control to students, we are giving them a voice, a stake in developing the curriculum. Letting them take part in the discussions and the decisions…and the responsibility is all part of including them in the ‘circle of power’. It does not mean giving them ALL the power.

Perhaps we can outline what we think they ought to learn and they can assert more power over how they go about learning it.

pete

By: Heidi

Heidi — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:42:04 +0000

Hi Pete,
Thanks - this post is timely for me.

As I have young children, I tend to think of students by what they are capable of, developmentally. Although they have a voice in our family and I work hard to include them in decisions and to hear their needs & wants, I still feel a responsibility for the “big” stuff. Like what to teach them, what is safe, what is healthy eating, etc…

I can easily see how we can empower students more by valuing their individual learning styles and passions - but do you see that it will include decisions around what curriculum they should learn? Don’t you think that there’s a foundation that adults need to define? Or at what point are children developmentally ready to define that for themselves, understanding what impact that will have in the future?

I look forward to further discussion!
Heidi