The more that I read Creating Innovators by Tony Wagner, the more I see the connections between what Wagner is saying and how Communications for Entrepreneurs is being run. I would not be surprised if you both read this book while writing up how C4E would be organized.
In the last few chapters, Wagner has pointed to different examples from real-life schools and classrooms on how his ideas were already being run across America. One idea that he talks about is a flipped classroom. Although this idea is not implemented in C4E, I do partake in this style of learning in my AP Physics class. During class time, we focus on hands-on projects, from labs to big questions to creating posters. Every night, we have a video of notes accompanied by a textbook reading and a few questions. I think it is very interesting to read about this style of learning according to Wagner and then actually do it, too. Overall, I enjoy the new way of learning and feel like I am forced to think about the conceptual questions deeper. I can no longer just accept the right answer and move on. I must understand why it is right, and that is the hardest part of the class. While I am thinking differently, I do not think I am learning "more" information or learning faster. I do, however, feel like it is a better way to learn ideas that are hard to conceptually think about, like Physics.
In the last chapter, Wagner has talked about Olin College as an example of innovative learning. This is really interesting because it is just down the street in Needham, MA. While it has only been around for a decade, the college has blown away scholars and businesses by the type of students they are graduating. Some of their biggest ideas are teamwork and hands-on learning. While it is a very small school, they make sure their students are always learning from each other. The way they treat their teachers are different, too. They are not all working to get something published or to have a tenure. They are just their to push their students to think. And the craziest part is Olin is an engineering school, but these students are coming away and entering so many different fields. That is because they also support interdisciplinary learning, and the ideas and skills they are teaching can help in tons of industries. I think a lot of the ideas Olin College has about learning reflect how we learn in C4E and also how Wagner suggests the American education should be taught.
I, too, like Wagner's vision. Ms. Stevens and I thought a lot about flipped classroom stuff, and it will be a part of next year's class. It takes time to create the flipped materials, and we've just not had the time yet. This summer!
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to check out how Olin works and what they do. I'll put this on my "for summer" list, as well. Glad you're getting a chance to think about these things.