More choice, more freedom, right? If we’re talking options down the supermarket aisle, choices in peanut butter or spaghetti sauce, yes. I’m creamy for the former, chunky for the latter, and you? Malcolm Gladwell argues there is no perfect sauce, only perfect sauces because it’s a matter of taste, and people vary quite a lot. Choice opens up our world. … Read More
School Reimagined
Very little has changed about how traditional schools* work in the United States since they began almost 200 years ago. Sure, some new technologies and various teaching fads have come and gone, but the main feature common throughout has been that young people must attend and do as they are instructed. Almost all the important decisions about what they do, … Read More
Grades Undermine Motivation and Learning
I know it sounds radical, but I believe grades do more harm than good. This is not the first time this thought has crossed my mind but recently my kid, who attends our local public high school, had a writing assignment due. The assignment was met with annoyance and eye rolls. It was something to “just get done.” As someone … Read More
Maybe It’s the Environment
What should we do when a child doesn’t want to go to school…ever? The standard approach is to assume something is wrong with the child and to use a combination of incentives and disincentives to get them to go. It feels like there is no other choice–go even if it’s distressing and even at great cost to mental health, well-being, … Read More
Devil May Care
The Learning Cooperatives specialize in helping teens discover what intrinsically motivates them and what their natural talents are. The priority is building strengths rather than repairing weaknesses. However, we’re realistic and know that external motivation can be a practical and necessary part of life. Even in the pursuit of our passions, the reality is that we all are met with … Read More
People or Products?
True story: A NJ public library cleared off one of their walls and invited the local elementary school and a homeschool learning co-op to display student artwork for the community. On one side of the wall were the school students’ paintings, which were all slight variations of the exact same picture–obviously given as an assignment in art class. On the … Read More
Libraries, Not Schools
When people first hear about self-directed learning it sounds like a crazy idea–everything is optional; young people have the freedom to follow their interests and decide how to spend their time; no grades, credits, or diplomas, just learning for learning’s sake. It sounds crazy, but it’s not. Self-directed learning is actually quite ordinary, and we have many opportunities and institutions … Read More
Fridays Unplugged
On a typical morning drive to work, I pulled into the local gas station, still holding a conversation on my bluetooth. I turned off the car, transferred the call to speakerphone, and rolled down the window. “Fill ‘er up, please.” Next, purse. But, no…no, no, no, noooo. “I can’t find my purse.” “Cash or card ma’am?” “Are you serious? Do … Read More
Imagine That.
Close your eyes. Imagine a high school, a real high school, one, perhaps, you’ve driven by many times. Picture the building and the grounds. What would you change? Pull up the editing tools in your mind. Cut. Crop. Sketch. What’s different now? Is the parking lot freshly paved? Are there more trees, flowers, benches, a fountain? Have you removed an … Read More
It Depends
“It Depends.” I say this alot. I’m the staff member at Princeton Learning Cooperative who initially meets with interested families. They come with lots of questions about PLC and I almost always respond with some variation of, “it depends.” The reactions families have to hearing this over and over again range from mild amusement as they start to understand how … Read More