This course is unlike any course that I have taken before. The differences between this and the many others that I have taken throughout High School are numerous. Compared to courses that I have previously taken, this one presents its own unique twist on conventional learning and distinguishes itself from the others. The largest of these differences being the times that I put work into it. A typical class for me, is 88 minutes long and occurs every day over the course of a semester. Thinking for these classes typically does not extend very far past the finishing of assignments. But for this, I find that I put more effort into and extend my thinking more. Another large difference between this course and others, is the extended period of time that is made available for one project.
Compared to my other classes, I think that this course has more benefits especially as a student. Some of the benefits are; More student/ teacher connection, working with a smaller but more motivated group of peers, and extended amount of time to delve into a subject. Following the benefits come some drawbacks. Because we don’t meet everyday and we don’t all go to school together, connecting with the rest of my group and the rest of the program is made more difficult than a traditional class. Overall, the advantages to this course vastly outweigh the drawbacks and make this course enjoyable and productive.
One of the things I have learned about during this course is how I learn best and what other ways to learn are available. Both styles of classes, traditional classes and a course such as this, have their advantages with neither being better than the other. What I have learned about myself as a learner is that I like the extended time frame to use for a project. Learning also comes best to me when I am working with people that are as motivated as myself. I have also learned that I enjoy the difficult but rewarding aspects of a course such as this one.
Applying what I have now discovered about myself as a learner, to the remainder of the course, I feel that I can continue to enjoy this while moving forward and leaving my previous hesitations behind.
Succeeding in this course and succeeding in a traditional course have different meanings. Expanding my knowledge not just through my topic but through the many different things we have learned so far and will continue to learn, is succeeding. This is something that WTS has given to me that I would not have in any other course. Succeeding in a typical class is more grade oriented and less about the learning.
Hi Brennan! Hope your vacation has been relaxing and you've had time to hang out with family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad your are having this experience with WTS. I don't know what your plans are for after high school, but it strikes me that WTS could help you know more about who you are as a learner and what you need in your learning environment to really shine."Some of the benefits are; More student/ teacher connection, working with a smaller but more motivated group of peers, and extended amount of time to delve into a subject." As you think about your future education and work, you now know these qualities will be important. I know that after the first overnight I was struck by the motivation of the WTS students. This is not a typical group of kids. To quote Amy Poehler "As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people's ideas are often better than your own. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life." It sounds that your group has some of these type of people. What a great opportunity to be able to dabble in this now, rather than waiting until you are working.
The extended time you have on this project is both a blessing and a curse. It is forcing you to be self disciplined which is so different than a daily check in during an 88 minute class. Just like anything else, the more you do of this the stronger you will be as you pursue your academic goals.
The teacher student connections you mentioned work both ways. My husband just walked by and said "Just give them a "C!" Then I said I was working on WTS which is entirely different than a single grade. I enjoy reading your blogs and watching the progress you have made in your writing - then as a teacher working on this project, my job is to try to point out your own observations back to yourself. No wonder this is different than most of your in-class experience. (In fairness, this project is designed for students to get SO much more adult attention then a typical school. Lucky you!)
Lastly, I can't help but pull this quote out of your blog:
"Succeeding in a typical class is more grade oriented and less about the learning." Grades and the amount of learning gained are not proportional. What a gift to be able to know that now. Of course, the next question is how do you apply that to the rest of your learning - both in school and out for the rest of your - gulp- life? Now that is a question worth asking again and again.
Keep up the good work.
Laurie