Students in charge of their own education . . . .

Sounds far-fetched but, in a recent Op-ed piece in the NY Times, the author discussed how a group of 8 students, some at high risk for dropping out, participated in the Independent Project and were in charge of their own eduction. They planned what they would learn, when they would learn it, and how they would access their learning. It was a huge success. You can read the entire article here.

This got me thinking about my own students. I am fortunate to teach gifted students and I am not encumbered by a rigid curriculum. I pretty much see what they want to learn within the theme for the marking period and go with it. It is a joyful way to teach. I have students that are excited about learning because they are not using rote memorization for a change. They want to explore themes and share what they learn. They want to branch out and learn more. And they also complain constantly about their Math and English classes and how boring they are because they cannot learn at their own pace and they rehash things "a million times".

I remember while attending college for my education degree feeling the same way until I came upon an independent study class. I was in heaven! I went at my own pace (which was rapid and frantic to learn) and I created my own learning environment. What a novel idea!! I was successful and still remember that "class" information more than any other class I actually attend.

Why are we still doing what we've always done? Anthony Robbins said "If you always do what you've always done then you'll get what you've always gotten." Wise man.

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• http://dreamsofeducation.wordpress.com/2011/02/19/operation-customized-learning-the-learning-genome-project/