2.6.4: HIGH TECH HIGH

High Tech High (https://vimeo.com/10000408) adopts a constructivist approach in the following ways: 

1. Learning is passion driven. Learners are intrinsically motivated.
2. Learning takes place through learner engagement, i.e. it is hands-on or experiential. Students feel a sense of ownership of the work.
3. Learners analyze solutions to problems in their school or community. Learning is community-based.
4. Teacher treats learners as adults and partners. In this way, students feel a part of the decision making process
5. Mixes learners of different categories and social classes together.
6. Learning is a social activity. Learners socialize as they learn and learn as they socialize.
7. Instruction goes from whole class to groups
8. Teacher facilitates activities rather than lecturing
9. Students are engaged more and learn to work with others
10. Students are more cooperative and less competitive
11. A higher level of thinking is encouraged. 

Do you believe that this school promotes creativity? If so, how?
Yes, they allow students to try things out and make mistakes but ensure minimum accidents occur.
Does the school provide an inclusive environment? Yes, the school does not categorize learners in terms of those supposed to use their hands or heads, in terms of social classes. They treat all learners the same way and encourage all to use their hands and heads according to their interests.

Do you think this is a realistic, "do-able" approach that you could introduce into your school? This approach is realistic and "do-able". But needs curriculum review and re-tooling of teachers (acquiring expertise in 'low-threat, high-challenge' pedagogy that is better aligned with new ways of living and learning) to roll it out to the whole school.

Do you believe that they really are able to cover their syllabus requirements? If students and teachers have a say in decision making, then possibly, syllabi are set by them and they are able to move at their own pace. But, should we always measure students' performance and learning through the covering  of the syllabus or acquisition skills?

The school is called High Tech High – what is the role of technology in this school? The school uses a hands-on experiential approach to teaching and technologies are employed like any other tools to ease learners' work. I don't see technology making learners stupid. They are not spending time with it doing nothing. Instead, technology helps them to produce results faster, encouraging the students to do even more.

Do you agree with McWilliam (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZNZQRl8aRM)? Should we as teachers be less ready to boost students' self-esteem when they don't really deserve it? How does this promote or not promote creativity? Yes, I agree with her. May be we need to ask ourselves a question, "Does creativity depend only on appraisal/self-esteem?" No. I don't think pampering a child will make him more creative. At some point, that child may know that our appraisal was inappropriate. And when that happens, s/he may not respect you or his work. Instead, we need to be more realistic by:     

• Guiding students with better and right questions that call for high level thinking.
• Obligatory engagement by planning interesting lesson activities.
• Creating the right learning environment etc.  

WHEN WE WERE TRAINED AS TRS...	BUT OUR ADVICE TO YOU NOW IS...
Were asked to strictly follow a prescribed curriculum	There is need to adopt a more flexible curriculum of big questions
Treated teaching as the transfer of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values	Treat teaching as the process of probing learners to help them construct their own knowledge, skills, attitudes and values
Separated learners of different ages, levels and categories, i.e. streamed classes to improve performance	Mix learners of different categories so that they can learn from and with each other.
Were warned against allowing ourselves or our students to make mistakes during the teaching and learning process.	Allow yourselves and your students to make mistakes to encourage creativity.
Were not allowed to welcome learners' decisions or tolerate their involvement in policy formulation.	Treat learners as adults. Let them have a say in their own education.
Knew knowledge to be static and independent of the knower. It could be sought or examined.	Knowledge is dynamic. It can be constructed by the learners with the teachers' help.
Valued literacy above creativity.	Emphasize both literacy and creativity. They have the same status in education.
It was fashionable to study as an individual. Learning was individualized and competitive.	Encourage social learning. It is less competitive and more productive.
Tests and examinations were hailed as the best approaches to assessment of learners.	During assessment, balance learner performance in class activities with the end product
Technologies like calculators were not encouraged. Mental work was emphasized.	As much as possible, integrate technology in your planning and presentation of lessons.
Teacher-centered approaches were applauded for helping to complete syllabi faster.	Emphasize learner-centered approaches that enhance learner participation.