Regular updates and musings on curriculum and technology in the Salisbury Township School District in Allentown, PA.
High Tech High
High Tech High is a public charter school in San Diego, CA. It’s focus is on 21st century education and a problem-based curriculum. Edutopia recently published a short video clip capturing what the learning of 21st century skills looks like in the classroom. You can access additional High Tech resources on their web site.
Next entry: What if...
Previous entry: World of Possibilities
Comments
A most excellent video on where education should be going. Highly motivating for all involved. I like the idea of the ongoing assessment. The confidence the students have with what they are doing and learning was evident. Standing up in front of the class is no longer an oral speech but a sharing of an individual’s learning. My favorite line in the video was “ we want them behaving like scientists, artists, etc.” In light of this statement, students are learning and living the behavior of the occupation not only the “content in the subject”. The teaching field is getting exciting and I am glad to be a part of this revolution. Thanks for sharing this Randy! 
This video clip highly supports the idea that teaching needs to shift and shift rapidly from the teaching of information to the teaching of 21st Century Skills. I love the fact that students acknowledge that the issues are important and serious but the learning is fun.
What a phenomenal statistic that 100% of their graduates are accepted into colleges. What does that say about these assessments we are required to administer on a yearly basis? They don’t take them but are accepted into college.
The use POLs or Presentations of Learning really spoke to me. We are finding in fifth grade that our students have a deeper understanding of the issues in social studies because of their POLs. My students who have struggled in the past are now earning a 3 or 4 in content, which is indicative of a proficient or advanced learner. They are allowed to use their strengths and show what they know rather than being assessed in a mode that is rather difficult for them and does not indicate a true measure of their learning.
I agree with Catherine’s favorite line; it was the one that popped for me as well, and there’s much to be said for the phrasing: “we want them behaving like graphic artists, scientists....” And the key is “behaving,” because it indicates that the students are truly engaged in real-lfe applications in education. I think about how we did (and I’m guessing) still do bone memorization tests for 130+/- bones; how more meaningful to work on detecting poachers using DNA.
Like Diane, I am impressed with the concept of POL (gives new meaning to GP) and that students are having fun while engaging in meaningful community and global outreach within and across curricula.
I loved that this school was able to focus on evaluation as “folded in, moment to moment,” and not driven by high-stakes testing. Education must be about students showing what they know, not what they do not know.
Students don’t have to wait until after high school or college age to make a difference. They are engaging their learning and their capacity through choices and interests in their career paths they embrace and/or opportunities availed to them. The principal confidently spoke to talk with any of his students and they will let you know of the immersion they hold in their school. Learning and teaching is about choices, collaboration, risk-taking, The environmental restructuring of this builidng creates and atmosphere where high-tech is not only visible, but supports learning for the 21st century.
High Tech High Charter School in San Diego demonstrates the paradigm shift in education, not only for students, but for teachers, administrators, school board members, and parents as well. Exciting and challenging times pave the way for the expecations of educating children and teachers. When a school’s 100% population are accepted in colleges, these results are indicative that students are prepared because of the results these students demonstrate.
Outstanding video, Randy! I am glad I took the time to watch.
Bobbie