This is also applicable to children in school. Student's take less interest in there prescribed classes, than in those that they choose as electives. A lot of times, those electives utilize concepts from our prescribed classes. But student's enjoy them because they pertain towards there interests.
But even in a more extreme sense, what if in our classes, we gave 1 day for students to choose there own learning. Student's could seek out there own knowledge on whatever topic they choose. Student's could design there own project around there research. This freedom would help students in so many ways. It would help them discover there future endeavors and career choices. It could help the student's become more productive during that prescribed work time.
Student's and even adults today are used to having to jump through prescribed hoops and follow exact directions or regulations. What happened to all our creative and self-directed minds. Even those that claim to be self-directed truly are not. We follow a sense of: "what can I do better" instead of: "what happens if I do this".
Check out the original article.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katherine-von-jan/unstructured-classroom_b_1024404.html
Hello Katie! I enjoyed reading about your perspective and reflection on the 20% time article! You should totally read the book I read over the summer: Drive by Daniel Pink. A major portion of the book is why autonomy, or giving people choice, is so vital to motivation and success.
ReplyDeleteKatie, it's great that you see the value of students have their 20% time in the classroom. What are some things that you plan to do with your students to make this happen for them? Have you researched or found any neat ideas or activities? Please make sure you cite your sources in APA.
ReplyDeleteKatie, I utilize Genius hour in my classroom which is based off of Google's creative time. Student choice is a very powerful for motivation.
ReplyDelete