In my last blog post, I discussed creating spaces for
learning. However, after reading a
recent article in the New York Times, I have to consider the other side of the
argument: the spaces are already there, teachers just need to find and use
them.
In this article, students from the Ethical Culture Fieldston
School, a private school in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, take part
in experiential learning and focus on the place in which they live as their primary
source. And it is clear that the
students, despite some scheduling conflicts, benefit from this type of
experiential, hands-on learning.
So my question: How can we engage our city?
If the ultimate goal and vision of schools is to produce
productive and educated citizens of the community and world, I think we have an
obligation to provide our students with as many opportunities to engage their
community in their learning. And with the ease at which technology could be
used to facilitate these kinds of experiential learning experiences, we don’t
have many excuses.
In the end, I wholeheartedly believe that an engaging learning
experience that incorporates all subjects will not only prepare students to
pass a standardized exam but will prepare students to be better people and
citizens of their community.
To read the New York Times article I referenced, click on
the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/04/education/in-fieldston-school-course-all-of-new-york-is-a-classroom.html?smid=tw-share
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