Cool Stuff

Alright.  This week I have a lot to report as I did my observations, part of which took place in a tech center.  It was awesome!  For the first time, I actually saw kids collaborating and learning in a complete tech environment.  The class was designed to take up 4 full semesters, or two years at the high school level and focused on designing a video game as the final project.  There were 2 possible routes that students could take.  The students that I observed had chosen to take the artistic route (as opposed to the programming route) and were in the first and second semesters of the program.  Ultimately, they will complete the program and have there own video game already under their belt, as well as apps that they can create and own the rights too.  No joke, some of these kids already have offers from employers and they aren't even seniors yet!

However, what impressed me the most was how engaged they were the ENTIRE class period.  There was dialogue and students were engaged in other things, but ultimately the work got done and it was high quality!  They were in a creative environment (the room had couches, collaboration tables, white boards, bright colors, twinkling lights, and individual laptops for all students) and it showed in the quality of the students work.  They were learning real world skills at a high school level that catered to their interests, and I can't wait to hear about their finished products!

Ultimately though, this experience was also a little sad.  One student was observed in the tech classroom and then again in the standard English classroom and he was like a completely different student.  He was so engaged when he was on the Internet, but then when doing a traditional writing assignment he was fidgety and uninterested.  I maintain my stance that programs like this should be offered as electives for students like this.  It's sad that we don't see these differences in kids, and more importantly, it's sad that we don't aim to help students like this.  He wasn't any "dumber" than kids who excelled in a traditional classroom, but obviously his strengths showed in other areas.  We shouldn't punish students for this, but overall, this was a wonderful experience and opportunity and I can honestly say that I see real world value in all tech classrooms.