(Hour 3b, c) Former Manchester Superintendent Tom Brennan joined us for a discussion on Project-Based Learning vs. what we’re currently doing in the Public Schools. Although not for all students, Tom believes that it would open the doors for more students to participate. Are there any examples of success? Brennan points to the Manchester School of Technology and the results they’re seeing. This and a return to 1930’s higher standards for reading would give students a much better foundation for educational success!
Brennan on Project Based Learning, 30’s Higher Standards
http://bedford-nh.patch.com/groups/ann-marie-banfields-blog/p/bp–redesigning-new-hampshire-schools-through-outcomeccd4fa1937
More on Competency Based Ed
Homeschoolers understand that the AGE a child learns to read is not an accurate indication of academic SUCCESS. There’s a book, Better Late than Early, which underscores these findings. Late readers can easily catch up with early readers. Considerable damage results when children are forced to learn before they are developmentally ready. So long as there is no stigma placed upon children, late readers will quickly catch up with their peers and frequently surpass them.
Project based learning is a fad that should be dumped. Projects are for fun and application, but only AFTER the students has learned basic concepts. Otherwise it’s play time and a waste of time, at great expense to the prep time of teachers who you cannot expect to have doing this kind of thing the whole day for 30 kids.