Larry Rosenstock: High Tech High
1: Watch this video of Larry Rosenstock from High Tech High (14:52).
- In what ways has this school adopted a constructivist approach?
- Do you believe that this school promotes creativity? If so, how?
- Does the school provide an inclusive environment?
- Do you think this is a realistic, "do-able" approach that you could introduce into your school?
- Do you believe that they really are able to cover their syllabus requirements?
- The school is called High Tech High – what is the role of technology in this school?
- Do you think the use of technology is making the students "stupid" (as Nicholas Carr would have us believe)?
Answer these and other questions you might have in a blog post.
Optional, for enrichment:
- An Edutopia interview with Larry Rosenstock
- University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences: Remarkable Leaders in Education
Erica McWilliam: The Meddler in the Middle
For Erica McWilliam creativity is not an “artsy”, innate, individualistic characteristic which cannot be learned (the “first-generation” definition). Rather, it is a “hard” disposition which can be learned, and which is found in group activity (the “second-generation” definition). It is up to teachers to create opportunities where students can develop skills of creative problem-solving which facilitate their coming to see and understand the world in new ways.
Her current research and scholarship is directed towards building teacher capacity to shift from 'Sage on the Stage' and 'Guide on the Side' to 'Meddler in the Middle'. This means acquiring expertise in 'low-threat, high-challenge' pedagogy that is better aligned with new ways of living, learning and earning. For her, creativity is something which is hard-earned, which is developed not through telling kids that they are wonderful all the time, but rather by holding them to account – mental effort is key to creativity.
Watch this video of Erica McWilliam (27:18) (in particular from 16:40).
And/or you can read this article:
http://www.vcu.edu/cte/workshops/teaching_learning/2011_resources/sagetoguidetomeddler.pdf
- Do you agree with McWilliam? Should we as teachers be less ready to boost students' self-esteem when they don't really deserve it? How does this promote / not promote creativity?
Add your answers to the blog post you wrote in response to the above questions.
When you are ready to continue to the next activity, click on the Mark Complete button below (first time) and Next Topic on subsequent visits to this page.
