Incredible breakthrough

February 17, 2013

 

Unbelievable! I was watching the news this week and they showed a clip of a very young teacher committing education. In years past, this has been an act of war against the teachers’ unions and the humungous walls placed between learning and the educational establishment. This young teacher, a beautiful, bright, caring, soul had crafted an educational tool consisting of pre-taped educational constructs that would normally be used as a lecture in a traditional classroom. The tapes were short; I believe, no more than ten minutes. Students would use the tapes at home. They would listen to, watch, consider, and learn what they could about the designated competency by reviewing the lesson as many times as they choose.

 

The next step was equally simple. By turning the system on its head, concept learning was done at home and homework (I prefer to call it applied work, or hands-on learning) was done under the keen eye of the teacher in the classroom. Students were helping students; asking questions, completing tasks, and firmly grasping concepts. When individual students determined that the concept was understood, they would ask for and receive the appropriate competency test. If the student passed the test, he/she went on to the next competency, repeating the process.

 

This stunning move; albeit, only one teacher in one classroom; in one subject takes us to an entirely different playing field. My brother was very successful teaching students in this manner decades ago, but was fired for his historic act of committing education. My sister, while teaching English at a community college was found lacking for similar attempts at helping students in ways more accommodating to their particular learning style. Imagine her shock when she determined that many attending college had no practical ability to read and even less desire to change. Using these techniques she assisted many students in learning how to read, write, and consequently, to master concepts and levels far beyond first level cognition.

 

While teaching and administering a special program for students from all over the world, I used very similar techniques. All the text and other written materials were in English and the students were encouraged to speak and write “English only”. Students learned concepts in accounting, computer applications, business concepts, and others becoming ready to move into the world of work in the United States. By assisting each other, using any technique they chose to learn, and having computers, applications, and assistance from each other and from me, they learned at quantum levels. They not only learned the designated competencies, but learned how to learn and how to further their education.

 

In the real world I am not certain we will ever be able to break the bonds of traditionalism in educating our youth; but I am sure going to try. I am going to start building a library of competency-based video snippets that can be used to assist in the learning process. A large portion of our school-aged children are highly conversant with video gaming. I believe such games can be turned into significant learning tools; thus, making nuisance toys into highly engaging learning tools. Imagine a racing game turned into physics competencies. Still the same excitement; now, revealing the reasons the vehicles act and react in the ways they do.

 

So much fun; so little time!

 

God bless you as you enjoy life and all that is.

 

Duane Jacobs, Father, grandfather, uncle, brother, cousin, and fond friend