How I make High School BETTER!
@mrswilmarubble (20)
Canada
March 23, 2007 1:52pm CST
I am a teacher who runs a store front high school for kids who hate traditional high school. We do things differently. For instance: We prefer students to bring mp3 players and cd players so that they can listen to their tunes while they work, you can earn credits as fast as you choose to work, we have hands on credits that allow your creative and talent side to be shown off. We don't care if you wear your hat all day, wear your pants half way down your butt or drag your feet when you walk. We just want you there and working on your credits. All of your learning is one-to-one. We know how to have fun. You eat all day for free. We look out for each other all of the time.
MY QUESTION TO YOU----What would make your High School a better place to be????
2 responses
@MrNiceGuy (4141)
• United States
23 Mar 07
WEll most high schools want results quickly, so students can progress through their grades to go on to college or the work place. Public schools are funded by the state, so why would anyone want tax dollars to go to ipod listening and short informal classes? They want the maximum efficiency. If you don't want to be in school, it won't be pleasurable, but thats not the point of education.
@MrNiceGuy (4141)
• United States
24 Mar 07
They "catch up" maybe in credits, but lets be honest, their "credits" are like a summer school session: easier, more lenient, and not the same quality.
Thats my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.
@MrNiceGuy (4141)
• United States
24 Mar 07
I'm just saying that there is a reason that people go to "alternative" high schools, and that they succeed there much easier than in a regular high school, and I don't think its because they are left on their own...
@mrswilmarubble (20)
• Canada
24 Mar 07
Interesting that you think you know exactly what I teach. I don't believe we have yet to meet, MrNiceGuy. I use the same curriculum and textbooks as any other school in my district. I also use the government approved correspondance courses. The reason the students are so successful is because they understand that they are in the drivers' seat. They can work as quickly as they want, spending all day on one credit until that credit is finished. I don't waterdown, omit or skim over any part of the the materials. Are all alternative high schools like that? No. But I can assure you that traditional high schools are just as guilty of many of the things you suggest.
Not trying to make you change your position as much as have you understand mine.
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
23 Mar 07
Mm, my HS wasn't that bad (a few rotten apples, some cases of indiscipline,...). It was generally a bit of a waste of time, I think how people are supposed to learn isn't really a good process of learning, since the objective isn't knowledge in itself, but just getting a grade to pass a certain subject. Classes are too large to give students the attention they need, some subjects are useless and there isn't enough emphasys on practical/technical knowledge. I always say that HS didn't teach me anything I couldn't have learned from reading a list of selected books.
@mrswilmarubble (20)
• Canada
23 Mar 07
You are so right! Traditional high schools are generally designed for one type of student (the one who is content to have information poured into them and then they spew it back out on the exam). Students see school as useless because the information given often has no connection to their real every day lives. For example, when I look at the curriculum of various states and provinces I am often amazed at the subjects they want to teach at certain grade levels. For example, why teach a 14 year old about government when they only concerned about their little corner of the world and how it directly impacts on them at that moment? That course should be given to the 17 or 18 yr old who is about to embark into the grownup world.
Learning by doing is (by far) the most effective way to transfer skills and have students REMEMBER what they learn beyond the exam.
Thanks for your response!
Take Care.
