1. The goal of educators everywhere must be to guide their students to say "I want to finish this and be proud of it". Too often students proceed from class to class, day to day, and grade to grade only performing tasks out of habit and obedience. The development of assignments and authentic checks for understanding in public venues is a must. If students are working toward presenting their learning to someone in the community or field of study they then are excited to showcase their learning. The thrill of being told by a 'stranger' or respected member of your field "great job..." is much more powerful than a mark in a teacher's grade book. Students must be led into learning experiences that give them a sense of purpose.
2. "How can you teach kids to make decisions if you never let them make decisions for themselves?" This paraphrased portion of the film really speaks to flexibility in lessons and tests in schools. There are multiple ways to teach all subjects and also to assess them. As educators we must begin to allow student strengths and interests to guide them through the process of learning so they feel invested and motivated during the process. If the standard/goal of the lesson is to see if students understand the cause and effect of WWII, give them the vocabulary and big ideas that must be incorporated and allow them to be creative. Students may surprise you by creating video games, videos, theater pieces, short stories, music pieces, comics, poetry, talk shows or a website displaying their understanding of the causes and effects of WWII. Why wouldn't we allow them this choice and instead limit them to a standardized bubble test?
3. In school "Having a 35-50 minute conversation w/out an adult is wonderful..." Too often adults are the center of K-12 and post-secondary schools. The days of the adults being the founts of knowledge is long gone. Student can Google facts on the device in their pocket much faster and with less error than any adult can remember and share in their school. With this in mind students need to make meaning of the facts gathered and this is where guidance by adults is needed. We must allow students to wrestle in small groups with tough concepts in order to learn the skills of perseverance and collaboration. Adults must set students up for fulfilling discussion and group work as these skill will take them much further than those of sitting passively and taking notes.
4. My last take-away was a direct quote from the Executive Producer Ted Dintersmith who was at the Adrian College viewing and began the post documentary discussion with, "In my short time in Michigan I am amazed at the quality of educators...[especially] when Michigan is THE WORST state I have ever visited, and I have visited many, for legislation and policies restricting a healthy educational system." Many murmurs of agreement came from the crowd after his statement along with references to throughout the 1 hour discussion that followed. While many citizens of Michigan have only a vague understanding of his statement, those in the field of education have felt many recent changes he referred to. From constantly changing teachers, administrators and school ratings and evaluation systems to varying standards students are being asked to learn (CCSS, MI Merit Standards, NGSS, C3 Standards, Career and Employability Standards, etc.), to standardized tests being required of students (MEAP, SAT, M-Step, ACT, SAT, etc.), Michigan is a educational atmosphere that does not allow students and educators to zero in and become better on any one target.
Through our discussion and those that have followed in the days and weeks after, my biggest take-away is that of action. Each stakeholder in our community must make education a priority in hopes that the next generation is one who is prepared to lead us into a new and ever increasingly changing world. Take the time to discuss with your policy makers locally and nationally about the importance of sound educational opportunities for our youth. Proud, flexible thinking, and collaborative members of our global community will be necessary to keep our state and country competitive in the future.