The Power of Student Driven Learning

Knowing that people are naturally inquisitive but that they don’t always have an avenue to delve into their unique interests, I wanted to give students an area to explore, discover, and create.  I have not felt successful with Genius Hour within my own classes as many students could not tap into their own passions and drive.  

My solution has been an after school club.

Students can join me one afternoon a week to pursue any endeavor they wish.  I encouraged them to come immerse themselves in a venture of their choosing - if they want to learn coding or how build apps, if they want to learn how to juggle, if they want to learn video creation techniques, if they want to explore electronics, if they want to test a hypothesis, if they want to learn knitting, they can join me.  

I promised them that I would not be an expert on their passions but, instead, would be a support for them in their pursuits.  I would help point them in a direction or help them find answers to their questions.  

So far the response has been good - 10 to 15 students each week pursuing what they want to.  A few are investigating computer animation.  Some are looking into how to build smartphone apps.  One girl has explored crafting her own music on the computer.  A couple needed a break and took me up on some juggling instruction.

The students are engaged and enjoying themselves because they are driving their own learning and exploration.  It is truly powerful to see how absorbed they are and how eager they are to share their excitement and insights with their peers.

I feel fortunate that I can offer students a space to pursue their interests.  Academic standards can interfere during class, and some students seem to be rigid in their thinking and expectations, squelching their natural tendencies to question.  The students that visit me on Thursday afternoons, however, clearly want to play with knowledge and gain greater understanding.  They have questions they are pursuing, curious about the world just like an infant popping objects into her mouth to explore the world around her.

If you have #1CoolThing that has happened in your classroom this year or, if this post has generated some thoughts of your own, please share in the comments. I would appreciate hearing about them.

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This post is inspired by Share #YourEduStory. The prompt from @teachfromhere was “Share #1CoolThing that has happened in your class/school/district this fall.”

Growth & Inspiration from Others

I refer to others’ blogs regularly.  They both inform and inspire.  Part of whom I am as a teacher is due to their willingness to share through their blogs.

The first blog I began to follow was Richard Byrne’s Free Tech 4 Teachers.  His work opened my eyes to the multitude of resources that exist which can enhance a teacher’s toolbox.  His daily review of tech tools and his tutorials are invaluable.  Nearly every day, there is something on his blog that makes me stop and pause, thinking, How can I use or do that in my classroom?”  My eyes have been opened to see the possibilities of technology in the classroom by Byrne.

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day is another phenomenal blog.  Taking regular dips in his posts reap rewards as Larry Ferlazzo presents endless resources.  Some of the varying topics he addresses are student motivation, educational policy, ELLs, holidays, and his “best of” list of resources.  This just scratches the surface of what his site has to offer.  No matter the topic or subject area, Ferlazzo has curated resources for it.  Looking for something on metacognition?  How about movie clips of bad teachers?  Maybe you need “What If” history lessons?  Search his websites of the day to get yourself pointed in the right direction.

Certain needs led me to the first two blogs mentioned.  I have no idea what first led me to Paul Bogush’s Blogush.  Whatever it was, I am thankful.  Bogush wears his heart on his sleeve right where you can see his passion.  He is not afraid to put forth his opinion - that’s what a blog is for, right?  And his honesty is always rooted in what is best for his students and his own reflection.  He shares glimpses into his classroom and school through his blog and student videos that show he believes students are incredibly powerful beings capable of impacting the world as soon as they are ready.  In short, Paul Bogush makes me think about students and my own teaching.

This will be the third year my students keep blogs.  My former students who are now in eighth grade will be continuing their blogs with their current teachers.  I’m so pleased their current teachers have taken the opportunity to support the students’ blogging.  These blogs energize me as I gain greater insight about my students.  I also see my students opening themselves up to the world, inviting others to engage, trying to make an impact on the world, and crafting a positive digital footprint.  I will continue to encourage my students’ voices through blogging, as I have much to gain from their sharing.

If you do not currently follow some blogs, I encourage you to do so.  Check out the ones I’ve mentioned and seek others that help you to grow both personally and professionally.

If there are blogs that inspire you or, if this post has generated some thoughts of your own, please share them in the comments. I would appreciate hearing about them.

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This post is inspired by Share#YourEduStory. The prompt from @bjornpaige was “Whose blogs do you draw inspiration from and why?”