Learning at Harrison - A reflection

Listening to Dr. Michael Wesch http://www.michaelwesch.com/ our keynote speaker at the SPVPA conference at Harrison Resort, was a truly worthwhile learning experience. Michael's message, delivered in a wonderfully eloquent manner was clear - create a sense of wonder in your students. So, just how do we create this 'sense of wonder' in our students? The answer - get them asking questions, relevant, meaningful questions because to question is to wonder. Encourage students to query, to ponder, to be curious, to marvel, to inquire. Inquiry based learning is one strategy that allows students to connect to their learning in a meaningful and relevant manner. With guidance and coaching from the teacher, the students formulate questions that peek their interests about what they are learning. Students need to be on a quest which can lead them from the "where they are now and what they know" to "what they want to know and where they want to be".

Many of the issues facing our students at NSLC, in Surrey, in British Columbia, in Canada, in North America have global relevance; real problems with real consequences and real solutions. Students can now deeply explore issues that captures their interest, that create that sense of wonder, that burning ? They can tackle these issues by working collaboratively with others from within the same classroom, same school, same city, same country or from classrooms half way around the world! Harnessing the technology to research the question, the 'wonder', then present/share the 'ah haws' via blogging, youtube, twitter or other means of social media... a great and exciting, fulfilling journey of learning!

At NSLC we are embarking upon the journey of inquiry based learning; currently in our infancy, having taken a few baby steps this year. In September, we will be attempting to implement this form of pedagogy across all disciplines...and it's "all aboard"...how exciting is that! Monday, September 24th, Dr. Roland Case, a professor from SFU, well known in the methodology of "critical thinking", will be leading the staff in a workshop on inquiry based learning. Staff members, Jennifer Aulakh and Jonathan Rempel, both in graduate programs, will also be sharing their knowledge on the topic. Are we excited? You bet!

Inquiry Based Learning

"Digital Filmmaking Bootcamp"

A select number of students from all five learning centres in Surrey were given the opportunity to try their hands at film-making, and wow what a success! And just how did all come about?

Thanks goes to our English department for their meticulous design, research and essential ground work that made possible this film-making venture. Teaching staff met with the Education Director from "Pacific CINEMATHEQUE" to design a documentary film project, with numerous connections to all the language arts courses currently being offered in the learning centres. Once the cornerstones of the proposed project were solidly in place, staff from "Pacific CINEMATHEQUE"  (http://www.cinematheque.bc.ca/ ) came to Surrey and provided some very intensive instruction for our students. With their years of expertise, the instructors from "Pacific Cinematheque" helped equip our students with the necessary knowledge and skills which enabled them to script, direct, film and produce amazing pieces of work. The students had 12 hours of intense instruction; the goal: in small groups, construct a question used to promote the issue of 'ethical living' and then produce a 5 minute documentary that would answer the questioned posed. The end result - nine very powerful film clips addressing topics from body modification to eating disorders to civil unrest. I had the opportunity to view all 9 short documentaries and was utterly impressed.

So how did these students who had never filmed before, never handled expensive, state of the art filming equipment, put together such meaningful and poignant pieces of work? 21st C learning, that's what was happening! Through inquiry/project based learning, social media, and collaborative research into issues currently affecting their lives and the communities they live in, the students were totally engaged in their learning. It was the relevance and the meaningfulness, the connectedness to the "real world", the use of technology, the ability to collaborate with peers, and being active learners that made this project so successful. If you want to read more about what keeps students engaged click here. "Hats off" to the students from all the learning centres, and notably those from NSLC (of course I'm biased) who should be very proud of their accomplishment. You're all "stars"!

And about the "Grade 10 Challenge"...what is it??

I want to let readers of this post know that one of the significant differences between NSLC and the other 4 learning centres in the Surrey School District, aside from the fact that we're the uh best --- oops, did I really write that? All kidding aside, NSLC is home to "Grade 10 Challenge" the only program of its kind in the district, and it is an integral part of our learning community. Who does "Challenge" serve? Is is designed for students entering their grade 10 year, but who may still have grade 8 and/or grade 9 courses yet to be successfully completed. "Challenge"  may be just the answer to help these students willing to work hard to get back on track. Students are eligible to stay in the program for one school year where it is expected that they will complete English, Math, Planning, Science, Social Studies and Physical Education. When the school year ends, regardless of whether or not all 6 courses were achieved, students' time in "Challenge" has ended. It's one 'kick at the can'. Students may transition back to mainstream, attend other learning centres or stay at NSLC, but not in""Challenge"as "those days are o-o-over". Those that choose to stay, will now be educated on the other side of the 'Mason/Dixon line', so to speak.

For those students who find it difficult organizing and working on four courses per semester, "Challenge" may be a good fit in that students work on two and/or three courses per semester. For those students who find mainstream overwhelming and impersonal because of the sheer numbers and size of the school, again "Challenge' may be the right fit. It is a small, intimate setting - 2 wise sages, 30 keen young learners per session!

All students wanting to attend "Challenge" are required to write a literacy and numeracy assessment prior to admittance. It's important to understand that "Challenge" is not designed nor resourced for students with severe learning disabilities or for those with other significant learning issues. The typical student can be described as average ability, but for various reasons (truancy, behavioural challenges, health concerns), mainstream is not working well for them at the present time.

I hope dear readers that you have gained some understanding into the Grade 10 Challenge Program. Too, there is a standing invitation to come by any time and "meet the Challenge"!

What exactly happens at the NSLC??

"So, what exactly is a learning centre"? I often hear this question after I'm asked "What do you do?", to which I reply---"I'm the proud principal of the North Surrey Learning Centre". When asked about the learning centre, I do my best to describe the milieu of this special place. In writing, perhaps I can champion the learning centre with more clarity, a bit more eloquently. However as with most things, to experience something gives one more insight, more flavour, than just the telling. So, come for a visit...just call ahead. We want to be on our best behaviour!

The North Surrey Learning Centre is a small secondary school which provides educational opportunities to students often defined as "at risk" - those students who, when they arrive, are not engaged emotionally, socially, academically or intellectually with the schooling process. The school population consists of students aged 15 to 19, who comprise a wide range of abilities, personal issues, health issues etc; a microcosm of mainstream school. Many come to us having experienced little success in high school. They are the poor attendees, the isolates, the discipline problems, the rebels, the gifted...the list goes on.With us, some of these fledging students (some, not all) learn to soar.  The learning centre becomes a school of choice, a place where students, for the first time in a long while, experience success, a place where dreams germinate and educational goals can be achieved. Our mission, like all schools is to equip students with the necessary attitude, knowledge and skills to better their life chances, to enable them to successfully navigate, and positively contribute to our rapidly changing and diverse global community.

The North Surrey Learning Centre subscribes to the view that all students deserve an advocate to represent their interests. It is a place where building relationships is of primary importance; where we strive to connect students with school, with staff, with each other to create a sense of belonging, to establish a culture that engenders community, a community that takes care of each other. As such we have developed a mentoring system, a recognized strength of the school, where teachers/mentors closely monitor the attendance, progress, and achievement of their students, and very importantly, take an honest interest in what is happening in their lives. Our goal is to provide a healthy, safe, caring environment where all students can learn, where they are supported by staff in pursuit of their academic, career and personal goals.

Are students engaged? Is what they are learning meaningful and relevant? Is the learning personalized, personal, student centred? We're working on it! Stay tuned...

TED-ED Video Portal Launch

The folks at TED just announced a new initiative to benefit high school students, their teachers, and lifelong learners in general.

The TED-Ed YouTube Channel recently launched with a dozen shorter-that-10-minute videos in five playlist categories:

• Playing with language
• How things work
• Inventions that shaped history
• Questions no one (yet) knows the answers to
• Awesome nature

Wikipedia: Redefining Research

Via: Open-Site.org