High Tech High

In what ways has this school adopted a constructivist approach? and Do you believe this school promotes creativity?
This school is so much into the constructivist approach. This approach gives children chance to experience things, to learn what they are interested in learning, to collaborate, to ask questions in case of clarity, do research and project work. From the video, High Tech High offers all this. Every child is involved in projects and research work they are interested in and they have created things with their own hands. They love what they are doing, it is fun. Larry is just there to facilitate and motivate them on as seen in the incidence of where the children have come up with a wooden weigh on which they place oval objects. I cannot tell what their experiment is exactly about but I am sure it has something to do with gravity, or elasticity or even measurements. There are no restrictions to what they are doing. They work, laugh and have fun as they learn on their own. They think of things and share their ideas like the children who are using a pulley to raise a pole. There are also those who want to work on their own. They are also catered for in their own way. For instance, the girl/lady working on the board about theories or formulas is working alone but that does not stop her from getting help from another about an aspect. Then there is also a boy who is involved with an instrument of some sort that is throwing out ball- like objects from inside of it.

Does the school provide an inclusive environment? Do you believe that they are really able to cover their syllabus requirements?

I am amazed at the architect of the school. It is box in nature but when taken inside there are different sections that would stand for classes. The most amazing thing is that the divisions of these classes are made by glass and one wonders if children will not break the glass with all the activities and inventions taking place inside. Knowing how destructive children can decide to be. Larry says it is meant to give the children a view of the people going in and out so they don’t have to go out in order to see people. the space seems to be large enough to accommodate all sorts of activities. They work in an environment that is all inclusive. So many projects are going on and each child involved in what they like. The children definitely cover the syllabus requirements because they are only involved in what they want to learn and nothing else. They are driven by their interest, fun and curiosity and this takes them way ahead.

What is the role of technology in this school? and do you think the use of technology is making the students Stupid as Nicholas Carr would have us believe?

Technology in this school is used to create Art and designs, make conceptual work for the kids to do, and it is also used for engineering. Both the advantaged and disadvantaged are given equal opportunity to exercise their creativity and their minds at creating something useful in society. They are doing things that matter to them. The use of Technology is getting the students to use their creativity and create things, and demonstrate to the people what they are inventing. Larry says the school works together with the community and that the classroom is only used as a fulcrum.

Do you agree with Erica Mcwilliam? Should we as teachers be less ready to boost students' self esteem when they do not really deserve it? How does this promote or not promote creativity?

To some extent I do not agree with Erica McWilliam that teachers should be less ready to boost their students' self esteem when they do not really deserve it. Some of these students are strugglers and what can keep them going is the motivation they can get from the adults or the facilitators. The more they get good comments, the more they strive to do better. If she was against giving it to the highest level achievers I would support that because it tends to make them feel invincible. From my experience as a teacher, I have seen it produce results.

It very much promotes creativity through;

·        making the children feel they are doing something

·        making them feel important and part of everything.

·        believing in them makes them believe in themselves too.

·        motivates them.
And if we are interested in our learners learning, we should use words that encourage them. Don’t use over exaggerate though.

Do you think this is a realistic do-able approach that you could introduce to your School?
This is an approach that my school could use. It is do-able. There is enough space already. The only challenge are the tools required to engage in such a venture and the funds to get the tools. Already most of the students have been in position to give us a hint to what their interests are. It is easy to tell those who are interested in using their hands to create something like in the Art club, Science Club, Interact Club and so many others.