Episode 3: What's Important to Learn?
An inordinate amount of time, energy, and resources have been spent on increase students’ ELA and Math scores on standardized tests. It’s not that begin able to read, write, and do math are not important – but what happens when we ask the question: What is most important for our students to know and be able to do to pursue the lives they want?
- Laura Shibulla, Founder of Building 21,
- Ayris Colvin, Principal of Building 21 school in Philadelphia
- Theresa Moore, Founder and President of T-Time Productions
- Tessa Simmonds, graduate of One Stone
- Grace Belfiore, Co-Lead Researcher and Co-Author of NGLC MyWays
Summary
In this conversation, the participants delve into the topic of education and its role in preparing students for the world. They emphasize the need for a shift in the traditional educational paradigm and explore alternative approaches that focus on empowering students to navigate, challenge, and change the systems they encounter.
The conversation begins with Tessa Simonds sharing her experience at a unique high school, where she learned alongside her peers and advisors who treated them as equals. This approach fostered a sense of collaboration and emphasized that education is a continuous learning process for everyone. It challenged the conventional notion of teachers as all-knowing authorities and instead promoted a shared exploration of knowledge.
The participants then discuss the importance of connecting education to the real world. Grace Belfiore highlights the significance of authentic learning experiences that allow students to contribute to their communities and engage with their own cultural contexts. They emphasize that such experiences not only help students build their identities but also provide motivation and a sense of purpose.
The conversation also touches upon the need to recognize and address the systemic inequities within educational systems. Theresa Moore and Laura Shubilla argue for dismantling biased systems and teaching students to critically analyze and transform them. They stress the importance of not just navigating existing systems, but also working towards changing them to create a more just and equitable society.
Ayris Colvin adds that educators must be well-informed about the inequities students face and equipped with the knowledge and skills to teach them effectively. This includes preparing students to challenge the status quo and advocating for change when they encounter systemic barriers.
The participants agree that education should not solely focus on preparing students for the future, but rather empower them to make a difference in the present. They emphasize the need for educators to embrace a co-learning approach, where they actively engage with students and support their growth as they navigate the complexities of the world.
In conclusion, the conversation emphasizes the importance of education that is relevant, equitable, and transformative. By embracing a student-centered approach, fostering connections to the real world, challenging and transforming systems, and promoting active engagement, educators can empower students to navigate, shape, and contribute to their communities and society as a whole.
Links
Building21
T-time Productions
One Stone
MyWays – Next Generation Learning Challenges
