Thursday, May 21, 2015

Authentic Experience

As part of Alan November's advice to this generation of learners, he suggested offering students assignments with a more authentic experience.  Students need to know why they are learning what they are learning.  They need to know the relevance of what they are learning.  

I decided to take immediate action and reviewed what skills I needed my students to learn along with what sort of authentic experience I can create for them.  I must admit that is a difficult assignment.  As I continue to better myself and my campus, I decided to include my students in helping me make decisions to the updates of the campus.  

Our school was built in the 1980's and there have not been any updates or changes since.  Our campus just went one-to-one with iPads and with all the new technology on campus, it is becoming more obvious how out of date everything is.  Our needs of our library are changing.  I see a large space and is becoming more and more vacant.  That is when the idea of including my students on a remodel the library project came to mind.  

Project:  Propose a library remodel plan that will bring the library into the 21st century.  The project spanned five weeks.  First, students evaluated the space and physically drew the outer dimensions of the library and then drew in items on the floor plan.  Students then used their iPad or laptops to enter in all the info into a architectural programs such as Room Planner or Roomstyler to create a more professional plan.  Students then research the items that they would like to purchase and record the costs on a spreadsheet.  The final part is the presentation.  Students  must present their entire project to the class and present like Steve Jobs did.  (They took notes on his techniques.  A large picture and very little text on the screen.)  They are to assume that I hold the checkbook that pays the winning bid.  Thus their purpose is to convince me that their remodel proposal is the one I should be selected.  The top five projects will present in front of our superintendent and that is when I will begin the grant process.  

My students rejected this at first.  Mostly because I teach 8th graders and they are going to high school next year.  They felt that why should they participate if they will not get to see any of their effort come to fruition.  I then shared that they are the perfect student for this project because they are the veterans on campus.  They have been here the longest; therefore, be able to give the most experienced advice on this project.  

I had some that struggled with the assignment.  Most students were pretty excited about it right away.  As part of this project, I wanted to let them take it where they wanted to.  I did not put a price limit on the project but did mention that reasonableness will be important in persuading me.  I shared that foundations do not award money to frivolous wants.  They must be justified.  You must tell me why you need the money.  Why it is important to get the updates.  

Today, students began the first round of presentations.  I must admit that I was nervous about how this would turn out.  One of the first presentations was disappointing.  It was from a student that I was hoping to make a connection with.  He was very disgruntled and typed specifically, "This is a stupid assignment." on the slide show.  Now I tried not to take it personal but can't help but be hurt.  I am working hard and I have missed the target with him.  

Though my first presentations were a little rough the day improved greatly.  I saw some presentations that were truly inspiring.  The Steve Jobs example and notes were VERY effective.  I am so glad I did that!  I am so proud.  I had some presentations that were truly inspiring.  They were sharing their thoughts not just reading from the screen!  That is because they truly knew their topics.  We have been working on it for nearly five weeks and all the information was collected or created by them.  

The best moment of my year and will be a forever part of my teacher journey.  Doesn't every teacher have a particularly challenging student that must demand the "why" of every assignment?  Well, like my first presentation, I thought his presentation might be a repeat.  I prepared to be blasted.  He presented and did fine.  He missed a couple of points and could have elaborated on some of his ideas but overall, he did fine.  At the end of class he shared with me how much he enjoyed the assignment.  I about fell out of my chair.  I said, "Really?".  He said not only did he like it but he wished he had tried harder.  My heart skipped a beat.  I wanted to ask him more but the bell had rang and he ran out the door.  

I worked so hard on creating an authentic experience that I almost forgot the purpose.  The purpose is to get the attention of those students who typically zone out.  To get the attention of those who need help connecting the dots of school and work.  I think I am on to something.  Thank you Mr. November.  

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