Purpose of Education?

I recently heard a speaker at a conference that talked about the purpose of education.  He made several points but here are a few for framing my thoughts today.

1.  Education needs to leave the “factory” model behind.  The system was set up and work well for our country 65 years ago but today we need something different.

2.  Students use very little of the information that they learn in school.  Who really knows that the 100 years war was 116 years?  And who really cares.  I think about my high school experience.  Physics…not using it.  Pre-Calc…not using it.  Chemistry…not using it. 

3.  Students do not need to be hindered by “grade level.”  We are way to caught up in some kid reading at “grade level.”  And if they are at grade level…..then we basically leave them alone instead of encouraging them to excel.

4.  Consider this from what the business world wants from employees.  Employees must be able to think creatively, to communicate both verbally and in writing, must be able to organize, must be able to allocate time, allocate money, to multi task, work cooperatively and many more.  Where do most kids get these kinds of experience in school?  Anyone…….anyone……Bueller…….Bueller…….Students get most of these experiences in extra curricular activities. 

After digesting the thoughts of this speaker I did realize one thing.  Computer games put students in an environment in which they will think critically, where they will work cooperatively, where they will problem solve and use oral and written communications.  I don’t think I do anything in the classroom that addresses more of what the business world wants in an employee at a single time than playing computer games. 

However, do schools still need to teach physics…..yes.   Not every one needs or will use it but the ones that will use it need to start the learning process as early as possible.  Not everyone uses a foreign language in their life but more and more schools are introducing foreign language early in the educational process instead of waiting until high school.  So I guess all of this is just another plug from gaming in the classroom.  It does change the way we do school.  It encourages kids to use skills that employers want.  And it does not have any consideration for “grade level.”  I will have some more thoughts this summer as I prepare for a speaking engagement that I have in July. 

District Administration Article

This link will take you to District Administration which recently had an article about edugames.  A large segment talks about my use of Making History but the article also has other games and teachers in it.

 http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1165&pf=1

Teacher Appreciation Week; Computer Games and More

Lots of thoughts have gone into this post.  Most of it focuses on:  This week in The United States is teacher appreciation week and I certainly have enjoyed the things that have been done for the teachers here at Oak Hill High School.  Lunch has been provided and we have received small gifts from school groups as a way of saying thanks.  It has been nice.  Also, recently a study came out stating that computer games have no measurable impact on learning.  And the final item that has spurred this post is why have I gotten so much attention for using games in my classroom.

Teachers…..what makes a good one?  My children are getting ready to enter the pubic school system and like any parent I want my kids to have a good teacher.  And being a pubic school teacher myself….am I a good teacher?  First and foremost, I want my kids teachers to care about kids and selfishly my kids.  I want a teacher that will foster a relationship that will encourage kids to take a risk, to learn something new, but more importantly to teach my kids the value of hard work, respect, and generosity.  I want my kids teachers to develop a relationship that will supersede the subject matter knowledge that is in the curriculum.  I want a teacher to care about my kids, a teacher who will try new things, a teacher that will praise, a teacher that will enforce rules, and give punishment.  I want a teacher that wants my kids to excel, treat them like an individual, and encourage them to be good people.  I want a teacher that will work hard at their job.  I hope I am a teacher like that.

Relationships.  That is what I really think a lot of this is about.  The study that said games have little impact on learning has been misleading to the public.  Games work.  Not because it is a game.  But because teachers that use game involve their students in an activity that most students like.  I think that is a mark of a good teacher.  Always looking for a new way to engage the student of today.  It is a daunting task.  I have said this before  and continue to believe that good students learn with a teacher or without.  It is the other groups of students that really need a teacher to push them.  Average and below average students need the relationship that teachers can foster.  Games are a way of connecting…a way of relating to today’s student.  We could use an abacus to teach math in high school..but we don’t.  Scientific calculators are the norm today.  Games are a tool.  Do they have to be used?  No.  Should they be used.  Yes. 

Finally, the success that I have had with games has brought attention that sometimes amazes me.  I have one speaking engagement this summer and will probably have more through out next school year.  The games are the focus of why I have been asked to speak.  I, however, hope the underlying reasons have more to do with the relationships I build with students.  The relationship establishes the arena for the use of the game.  One in which we can have fun, laugh, play, and learn.