Is This Going to be on the Test?

I've heard it before.... heck, I've probably said it before, "Is this going to be on the test?" Because if it isn't, kids think they don't need to learn it. That's how we're taught from early on in school, study "this" you will be tested on it; test scores are important. They tell everything don't they?

Hardly.

Where are the questions, the natural curiosities? Where is the freedom to be talking about something and go off on a tangent because of a question and explore other knowledge. We can't do that, we don't have time for that, we have standards to meet. And that other stuff... it's not on the test. We are training kids minds to be straight, narrow, mainstream.

Recently, I came across this older (2009) article, Experiential Science Education . The author states, "The real core of teaching is providing environments, formal or informal, in which students can experience their education - whereby students can inquire into, discuss, become involved in moral and socially relevant issues, and perhaps make real change in themselves, and their community. This is the kind of education that allows students to ask questions such as: 'Why should I learn this?' 'How is this experience relevant to me and my fellow citizens?' and 'How will this experience contribute to my and others growth?'"

I've heard these questions asked in classes and teachers struggle to answer them. How is a student supposed to care about their education when no one can tell them why they are learning something and how it's important for their future?

One of my goals will be to develop answers to these questions and incorporate activities that demonstrate why science/chemistry is important to learn. Perhaps the students can research this themselves. They can consider a job they want to have when they are adults and research how science applies to that job.

How did the article speak to you?
If you are a teacher, what do you do in your classroom that is experiential learning?
If you are a parent, how do you feel about experiential learning or deviating from the standards we are obligated to teach your student?
If you are a student, do you think this type of learning would work for you and why/why not?  

The real core of teaching is providing environments, formal or informal, in which students can experience their education—whereby students can inquire into, discuss, become involved in moral and socially relevant issues, and perhaps make real change in themselves, and their community. This is the kind of education that allows students to ask questions such as: “Why should I learn this?” “How is this experience relevant to me and my fellow citizens?” and “How will this experience contribute to my and others growth?”

The real core of teaching is providing environments, formal or informal, in which students can experience their education—whereby students can inquire into, discuss, become involved in moral and socially relevant issues, and perhaps make real change in themselves, and their community. This is the kind of education that allows students to ask questions such as: “Why should I learn this?” “How is this experience relevant to me and my fellow citizens?” and “How will this experience contribute to my and others growth?”

The real core of teaching is providing environments, formal or informal, in which students can experience their education—whereby students can inquire into, discuss, become involved in moral and socially relevant issues, and perhaps make real change in themselves, and their community. This is the kind of education that allows students to ask questions such as: “Why should I learn this?” “How is this experience relevant to me and my fellow citizens?” and “How will this experience contribute to my and others growth?”