Post #2

What does Dr. Michael Wesch believe about how students learn?  

Learning isn't one size fits all. Students have individual needs that cannot be met with a blanket curriculum.


Real learning happens when students feel inspired, engaged. Course content should spark curiosity and wonder in students. 



The purpose of learning is not to reach a goal once, but to continue reaching it even after success. Learning should be fun so that even when a student succeeds, they continue doing it. 

    

Disengagement from the classroom can occur for a multitude of reasons. It could be a lack of interest, but it is more likely a deeper issue. 




How does Dr. Michael Wesch act on those beliefs? 

Dr. Wesch seems to develop a more personal relationship with his students so that they can reach out to him when he is in need. There is also lot's of trial and error to figure out how to keep the students engaged with the class content. Dr. Wesch describes various times where he recognized that his students were not thriving in his class and he met with them individually to assess a deeper issue then created an individualized plan to move forward. Dr. Wesch amplified to the need to establish safe, inspiring, and collaborative workspaces for young people. I also resonated with the ideas he shared about youth helping their peers, and it my experience youth taking ownership over the space/work helps them to develop confidence in themselves, their peers, and the adult(s) in the space. 


Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 28, 2022 at 7:42 PM

    Hi Jenneya! You have a beautiful name, by the way! I was immediately engaged with your post because of the layout of pictures and words. I really appreciate how clear and "to the point" your post it. I have also seen youth taking ownership over their work and learned that this helps them to develop confidence in themselves. This is one of the many reasons why I make it my mission to teach ownership to my students by telling them on the very first day of fifth grade that everything they do in our classroom MATTERS! Correct or incorrect answers...it ALL matters! Overtime, they own the fact that what they are doing matters, and they inevitably produce better work because they truly believe it matters. I appreciate how you took this thought a step further and explain that youth taking ownership also allows them to develop confidence in their peers and the adults in their space. This is huge!

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  2. Jenarita PlanteJune 29, 2022 at 5:11 AM

    Your post is so clear and to the point! I agree that he builds relationships with his students to better reach them. As educators, I find many of us (not all) try to do this. Unfortunately time never seems to be on our side, but interjecting little opportunities to get to know students helps tremendously. When I was in Middle School we spent one of the early days of seventh grade at a camp with the students and teachers on my team. We did team building activities, earning trust with one another. We established a relationship with our teachers and our team and teachers still all keep in contact today; 20 years later.

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  3. TanyaJune 29, 2022 at 12:56 PM

    Hey Jenneya, I like how you point out that Dr. Wesch actually works hard to develop deeper relationships with his students, meeting their needs to have a safe and inspiring place to work learn and grow! It is SO rare to find a teach who is willing to do this work with a student they have no connection with. Often these students are overlooked by teachers, and I echo your experience that youth-led education is the best way to allow the youth we work with to grow, evolve and learn to love themselves.

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  4. LesleyJune 30, 2022 at 6:38 AM

    I feel like his ideas resonate with YDEV principles in ways that traditional educational models do not/can not. Sounds like you hear that too.

    ReplyDelete

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