You've found your way here because you're interested in inquiry-based learning and self-directed learning, which this website has defined well:
“In its broadest meaning, ’self-directed learning’ describes a process by which individuals take the initiative, with or without the assistance of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identify human and material resources for learning, choosing and implement appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes.” (Knowles, 1975, p. 18)
Well, we've compiled some resources for you about the various types of learning we engage in at RealSchool. Check them out:
1) Launching RealSchool: Here's a blog post with some of our favorite videos, ones which helped us launch RealSchool. We've also since that time seen some videos of kids doing some pretty awesome stuff:
If students designed their own school . . .
Students design their own car . . .
2) David Kelley, Creativity and Design Thinking: Here's a blog post about another type of thinking we love, Design Thinking, which is when you start with empathy, asking a consumer about his/her desires and needs, and then design a product based on what the consumer has expressed. We used this type of thinking to design RealSchool, which we hope empathizes with how a student wants to learn and what a student needs to feel successful.
3) Here are some blogs and websites that are wonderful resources for those interested in 21st-century learning:
Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org We particularly like the “Schools That Work” section, which highlights schools that are utilizing strategies such as project-based learning, social and emotional learning, technology integration, arts integration and more.
Will Richardson: http://willrichardson.com
J. Robinson: http://the21stcenturyprincipal.blogspot.com
Ken Robinson: http://sirkenrobinson.com/?page_id=11
Science Leadership Academy (Chris Lehmann's school!):
Eric Sheninger: http://esheninger.blogspot.cobi m
In Jewish Education:
Rabbi Tzvi Pittinsky, Educational Director at The Frisch School: http://techrav.blogspot.com/
Rabbi Aaron Ross, Judaic Studies principal and educator at Yavneh Academy: http://jewishedd.blogspot.com/
Rabb Ross has been highly successful in using project-based learning in his middle school Judaic Studies classroom.
Rabb Ross has been highly successful in using project-based learning in his middle school Judaic Studies classroom.
Tikvah Wiener: http://teachingwellandgood.blogspot.com/
I teach English and art history and am coordinator of interdisciplinary studies at Frisch. I love integrating the arts into my classroom and also have this AP Art History blog:
I teach English and art history and am coordinator of interdisciplinary studies at Frisch. I love integrating the arts into my classroom and also have this AP Art History blog:
4) Here are links to self-directed projects completed by Frisch seniors this past year as part of their AP English Literature course:
The Self-Directed Learning Project: Frisch LEADs
As part of the project, students had to blog about their progress:
Student samples:
RFreilich
AHochsztein
ELevine
JNarin
CZucker
5) We love this blog because it embodies the kind of innovative thinking we love at RealSchool:
FastCompany
And we love this blog because it gives a damn:
GOOD
6) Finally, to be very meta, feel free to check out additional posts on our RealSchool blog.
