The beginning of today’s lecture was based around the documentary “High Tech High”, a school that deviates from the traditional structures present in learning environments. The main deviation from traditional learning environments is how the classes are present to the students, instead of having the classes taught in isolation, they integrate themes from different classes together. Classes at this school aren’t divided into “math, science, English, etc.” and are instead combined to teach values from each subject.

High Tech High front entrance

The school also leans away from standardized tests, and gives the teachers more freedom in what classes they teach. As well as this the school gives the students more freedom in how they learn, emphasizing how not everyone learns the same and that in order to give everyone a shot at success its important to remember that something that works for one student may not work for another. One concept that was brought up in class was that modern schools were created when there was a need for factory workers, and was made to prepare students to eventually enter society as a worker, and wasn’t made for the modern society.

Overall it was a very informative lecture, and I found myself wondering if more schools will adapt to have the same structure, or if schools like that would continue to be the minority. I think I would have trouble teaching in an environment with little structure, but I would eventually be able to adapt.