Big Picture

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Locations and Leaders

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Deciding on a location to operate iLearn – in the REAL world, as a learning centre has been a tough decision.
I have a large rumpus room at home which is a very cost effective option and have found a building in a great location close to residential  and commercial businesses. Short term I am only interested in the front section which has a large carpeted room and an entrance foyer with office, kitchen and toilets. Long term I have big plans for the whole building. I have asked for a lease cost on the front section and if it is reasonable I look like going with that option.

Over the last month I have also met some wonderful people both locally and online who are very interested in my work and we are exploring the possibility of working together collaboratively to help each other.

  • Local mentors and business owners
  • Video shop owner in a town nearby who pioneered his own internet company in Silicon Valley
  • Melbourne educator and technology whiz also setting up his own learning program
  • Gippsland writer and educator keen to pass on the love of writing to young people
  • Melbourne maths whiz with his own maths learning centre
  • A number of educators and innovative learners around Australia and internationally keen to support and mentor young people

I am in the process of getting all my learning systems documented and then put together the promotional materials and then hit the media to recruit students for my full time, face to face program and an online version for students in other towns.

Recently I have been reminded on Gandhi’s saying: “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.
Rather than attempt to provoke change in the education system or advocating for change on the outside I think the best approach for me is to BE who I am called to be, provide the gift of learning to young people and leave the rest to God.

 

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TGIF – Thank Goodness It’s Friday 1

TGIF – Thank Goodness It’s Friday (weekly newsletter)

Friday March 2nd 2012

Well, two Fridays have passed but I would like to make this a tradition for BP:UL (Big Picture: UnReal! Learning.

TGIF is a tradition in most BP schools and was introduced by one of it’s founders, Denis Littky, who wanted a way to share all the good things that were happening with students, parents and staff.

This video has Dennis Littky talking about how Big Picture started: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbpqVPtUIFQ

These are MY thoughts and as time goes on I would like the students to develop a TGIF newsletter each week which could include my thoughts.

Our first two weeks have been great, interesting, frustrating, disappointing at times, but oh so encouraging with so many opportunities to come.

We are all looking forward to moving into the BP:UL House in Maude St and looks like we will do this on Friday 9th March.

Highlights for the past 2 weeks

  • Students have completed all sorts or challenges such as scavenger – learning to solve problems and work together
  • Trivia Competitions between advisories
  • Trip to KidsTown and Pool Party at Allison Darlow’s House (thanks Leeanne)
  • Swim and games at the Goulburn River
  • Students learning about Advisory and how important it is for there to be trust and respect
  • Planning for camp at Gilwell Park in Gembrook
  • Students helping UCCE staff – setting up BP:UL house, Britnee C with Ronni  and Bonnie with Bron
  • Brad and Aaron S helping JR with the new fence, tables, sandpit and much more
  • Save a Mate program – run by Purple
  • Happy Hour (last hour on Fridays) – learning how to congratulate and appreciate each other
  • Happy Hour speaker – Alex Bruinier from The Bridge
  • A number of students have already secured Shadow Days (1 day work experience)
  • Sean T has been offered an apprenticeship in building with his mentor
  • Many students are show initiative and confidence visiting businesses and asking for Shadow Days

A  big thank you to all students and parents for their trust in us as a team and we look forward to sharing more great stories and achievements.

Happy Hour in the Hall with Alex Bruinier (The Bridge) our first guest speaker

Geoff Allemand

(And our team, Jen, JR Ange and Monty)

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What would be unreal learning for a teen?

I think it would include the following:

  • Spending time doing what they want to do – more time following interests/passion
  • More time outside the classroom than inside – more workplace visits and internships
  • Less time listening to the teacher – and more individual projects
  • Teacher/adult knows me and is interested – more time spent in small groups and one teacher
  • Not doing subjects I don’t like or aren’t relevant – instead individual learning plans that are personalised
  • More work experience – 2 days a week (all year for 4 years from Year 9) doing shadow days and internships
  • Explore university or higher education before year 12 – doing university units or certificate courses in early years
  • Get an edge to get a job – spend time in workplaces and demonstrate skills and work (portfolio)
  • Less tests and exams – assessed by demonstrating my work and skills by exhibitions
  • Sounds too good to be true?
Coming soon in Shepparton, Unreal! Learning for students who learn differently.
Contact me for more info: geoff@scratchmeback.com.au
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Authentic Learning – Student Project

Students in my Big Picture program undertake authentic work in the community by negotiating a project with their internship mentor.

Glen is a building contractor who came to speak to my class about his passion of powerboat racing (Jet sprint racing) and his building business. As a result of this talk, one of my students Sean, jumped at the opportunity to do an internship with him. Over the next few weeks, another student Thaniell got to know Glen and offered to help him make a gadget to measure exhaust temperatures for his boat.

Thaniel’s interests include: farming, sound and lighting and electrical/electronics.

Here is Glen in action with his wife Amanda as navigator.

Here is a promotional video of jet boat racing.

Glen bought the electronics kit and asked Thaniel to put it all together which involved reading the steps in a magazine and soldering the circuitry.

The video below of their explanation of the project and how it all went really shows the value of authentic learning opportunities.

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Student self motivation – needs time to awaken

Our place of learning is a bus

I arrived at class the other day and I had four students waiting for me. The other 4 students (there are only 8 in the class) were out in the community doing their thing – paid work, pre-apprenticeship course, shifting house and an internship.

One of the students piped up and said, “So, what are we doing today?”

I was disappointed. The students are being encouraged and taught to take ownership of their own learning and to show initiative.

I read in a blog post today: “It’s so sad that so many students sit and wait to be taught.”

It’s no wonder then that my students have not ‘fully’ unlearnt the attitude instilled in them for around 10 years…wait until you are told what to do!!

But there is hope as all it took for me to say was…”What do you want to do?” And they all had something to DO.

Brad: I want to go and buy a book to list all the jobs I am doing for the ICT work at Cutting Edge (his LTI – Learning Through Internship).
Ben: We need to visit Computer Tech Support and see if they will have me for an Internship).
Haydn: I need to do the paperwork required to set up my internship doing concreting.
Sean: I want to explore the possibilities of setting up a student exchange so Big Picture students can come and spend a week with us so we can learn from them.

I was pleased that this attitude to learning is being developed and just under the surface, waiting for a crack to let the light in.

My students are thinking about things to do and starting to take ownership and show initiative.

The Big Picture approach of students following their interests, working in the community and a teacher/advisor to guide them in their learning does work: It is one student at a time in a community of learners.