Holden Leder Week 4 - An Idea for an Ideal School System

Holden Leder

Week 4


An Idea for an Ideal School System

Future Education Technology: How Digital Trends Are Shaping Teaching

The modern school system is riddled with problems, the core of which is a class structure that does not engage students to learn. Why is it that you don't have to ask a kid to play a video game or watch television, but you have to force them or attempt to get them excited about going to school? The answer is simple: school is not naturally engaging. Let's take this further: why isn't school engaging? One answer might be a combination of the student not learning what they are interested in and/or it is not taught in an engaging way. I believe there is a way to solve this. Although I believe in keeping some core classes, like math, English, and history, I believe what is taught in classes like these, such as math, needs to change. Basic math would remain the same, however, courses such as trigonometry and calculus would be replaced in importance with statistics, something you would see much more in your everyday life than finding the limit of a function. Math could also incorporate personal financial concepts, like calculating personal income taxes and amortizing mortgages. Though not necessarily interesting to everyone, these are useful skills that will come in handy when the student is older. A class like a history would emphasize as the maturity of the student increased on current events. Though classes like these are currently unengaging, they could be made more engaging through more class trips to places like a local museum, or through technology like virtual reality. This would be more engaging to a student than sitting at a desk through a lecture. Core classes would take up no more than half of the school day. The other half is spent on researching or working on a project of interest to the student. For example, if the student is interested in engineering, he could spend this time working on a robotics project or taking a course on the skills and knowledge necessary for computer or mechanical engineering. The primary goal of this system is to use part of the day to create necessary everyday knowledge, such as everyday mathematics or current events, and then to use the rest of the day to focus on what they are interested in. The system conforms to the individual, not the individual conforms to the system. I know that I would be much more excited to come to school if I knew the time I spent every day was spent on something I was interested in. What do you think about this idea/system, and would you be excited to come to school if you knew you could focus your time on what interested you?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Joshua Grynbaum Week 5: DKJA Open House

Image
     Some of you may be wondering why I am submitting this blog a day late… Did I forget? Am I just irresponsible? The true reason is that last night I had the honor of attending the Donna Klein Jewish Academy Open House. The Open House was truly an eye-opening experience, where I got to introduce myself and the amazing clubs our Rosenblatt Highschool has. I volunteered as a tour guide and helped set up and lead many of the club stands that attended.      The two main stands I promoted were the Jewish Student Union Club (JSU) and the Business Program. I personally know the presidents of both clubs, which made it easier for me to introduce the clubs to the upcoming parents and students of Rosenblatt Highschool. The Business Club didn’t get much action due to it being in a separate room with all the “signature clubs”, but JSU was a whole different story. The presidents were playing Israeli music at their table, which caught the attention of many parents, and ...
Read more

Aaron Mibab 3: Hazamir

Image
Last year and this summer I had the privilege of participating in the Jewish teen choir named Hazamir. Hazamir is an international singing group, with its chapters primarily located in the United States and Israel. In order to participate in Hazamir, one must be able to sing but the ability to sight-read is not necessary. Its music and events have led me to a larger repertoire, increased understanding of music, and more friends. I am so excited to continue singing in Hazamir this year too! Despite Hazamir’s amazing offerings, the Boca Raton Chapter is too small and needs more numbers.  Hazamir has almost weekly meetings where participants practice and learn the provided music. These practices typically last 2 hours and are very casual and fun! Last year, I became very close to the other members of my chapter through the songs we learned. Additionally, during the break from learning, I would bond with the other participants with the occasional Ice-breaker and talking.  So...
Read more

Aaron Mibab 6: Recycling at Donna Klein

Image
     Ever since I was little, I remember my father taking out the recycling or doing activities relating to recycling. He would remove the tabs from coke cans and collect them; I remember he had a large bag or two where the metal tabs stayed. I also remember “helping” him take apart boxes so more could fit into the recycling bins. Recycling was important to him because it is taking care of the environment and world that his children will inherit. Due to his beliefs, I believe recycling is important to take care of the world that will one day be my responsibility.      Many of you reading this blog may think, “recycling at Donna Klein? Why would that be a topic? I have seen recycling bins in the school.” Well due to my participation in the Green club, I was informed that Donna Klein does not actually recycle.       Donna Klein is also proud of its earned certification as a FranklinCovey Leader In Me Lighthous...
Read more