link to video - http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/gever_tulley_s_tinkering_school_in_action.html
Gever Tulley said a lot in his 6 minute video clip. His message was, "let kids learn by fooling around". The video showed pictures of kids coming up with an idea-their idea- of how to build/create something using real tools, from start to finish. There were adults to help and supervise, but they didn't take over their project. I think this approach to learning is just what some kids' need. I saw most of them smiling and actually having fun while they were learning.
As I was watching the video, I tried to remember some times when I had the opportunity to build something. I remember in kindergarten we had choice time. I loved it! My favorite thing to build was a ramp for the cars. I think this was really the last time when I was in school that i got to "tinker" with things. Sure, in second grade we had a home project to make a scarecrow, but if i remember right, I had a lot of help from my parents. There also were the science projects, and alternative book reports, but still, there were set guidelines and a rubric to follow so we knew what grade we would get. This video made me think that kids, in a typical school, really don't have a lot of ownership in their learning. Tulley's approach teaches kids that school can create curiosity, lets them ask questions, and most importantly; they seem to like learning.
Tulley thinks our present learning process is too planned and, for the most part, doesn't allow kids to dream and create. At his Tinkering school the kids are fooling around with things and ideas and really being happy at school. My school experience, like 98% of kids I know, has been; sit at a desk for most of the day, read textbooks, listen to lectures, fill out worksheets, and take test! I remember once a high school teacher brought us outside for Language 9. It was a beautiful day to sit under a tree, on the grass and read. We talked about our story, but also other things, like nature; why the grass at the high school had so many sand burs, and shapes of clouds. I've learned alot of things outside of school when traveling with my family on trips, and working at a grocery store and factory.
I was a student who just survived. I did what I had to do for the grade and to pass. If this type of school was offered to me I would have definitely signed up. I took a metals class in high school and it was all hands on. I wasn't the most creative, but my projects turned out okay. I had fun with the teacher, didn't dread going to class, and felt like I really accomplished something. I even got an A in the class.
I was one of those kids who dreaded report card and conference time. If I was failing a class, that wasn't good for me or my parents. Although adults keep telling you that failure is part of learning and will make you stronger, our schools see failure as a bad thing. I think teachers are so concerned about how kid's failure will affect them. All that happened when I was failing was it made me stop taking risks and sharing my ideas.
I decided to approach learning about my car in a different way. I never took auto mechanics in school so when it breaks down i usually Google the problem and go from there. I also have friends who know alot about cars so I am learning first hand from them.
I know school is serious, but does it have to be so serious all the time? Kids spend a lot of time at school with teachers, so I think teachers and principals need to take time to have fun together with their students. I am smart enough to know that school shouldn't be a place like an amusement park, but isn't it the people who are teaching us, their job to make a student's experience in school motivating and fun, like when we learn to do other things like; play video games, dance, or cars. I like the idea of Mr. Tulleys philosophy that success is in doing and kids will become life- long problem solvers and learners. I think if I would have gone to Mr. Tulleys School I may have enjoyed school more.
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