Integrated Studies Program (ISP) - The Sequel

BACK 2 THE ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE!

 So, today was the first day of the second year of the ISP. It's been a wild ride so far. I look forward to new opportunities with new students as well as the maturation, development, and leadership of students who are ISP experienced and ready to take charge at learning goals.

TRADITIONAL ED IS NOT SO BAD...

 21st century education is exciting and powerful and full of promise. I am thoroughly convinced that it is the best setting for true learning to take place. Curricula and pacing guides have their place and purpose, thus, I will not attempt to argue that traditional education does not work. It can, and it does, for many of the best and brightest students in the world.

WONDERMENT => TRUE LEARNING

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."

-WB YEATS-

 However, it is my opinion that true learning comes from wonderment. Wonderment is rooted in genuine interest and passion for what is not known. Wonderment burns like a torch in the darkest night, guiding a pupil on a path of questioning, confusion, and further inquiry, and only upon discovery and acquisition of desired knowledge does the wonderment cease to have pertinence. A torch proves its worth during the pitch blackness of night, but upon the arrival of day, the sun lights up all that it touches and makes the torch unnecessary or irrelevant (for the time being). This is a natural course. Wonderment leads to the achievement of understanding. Yet, just as the sun will surely set and the day will embrace the darkness of night once again, the torch of wonderment shall too repeat and be lit to lead the way to furthered growth and development. Understanding can only be achieved when there is a genuine interest and passion for the content being learned. Everybody is different, and these differences are reflective of our unique interests and passions. Thus, the notion that we, as teachers, can simply prescribe learning goals to masses of students via curricula and still facilitate learning experiences that are as authentic and fueled by natural wonderment is most absurd. The torch only burns if the flame is ignited from within and it will only lead the pupil out of the darkness and into peace of mind if they carry it with conviction.