How Do We Get Students To Want To Learn

I read a very interesting article this morning by Betty J. Sternberg entitled “Schools Need a Culture Shift”.

It really boils down to the disconnect when you compare a very innovative and challenging company’s work environment (open, collaborative, thriving, teamwork where one person can make a difference) to how a student would describe the environment of a classroom (solitude, learning how to take tests, following rules, doing what the teacher says).  Why is there such a wide crevasse between the two?

I don’t think anyone would argue the fact that we all want students to learn the basics, have an inquisitive nature to ask questions, find a passion for knowledge, and thrive into a successful and productive member of society.  How could you argue with that?  Where we differ is in its approach, in the traditional educational system, in incentivizing those in charge of education directly and indirectly, in how much it takes to develop a workable system, etc.  Most people feel that the current system lacks a lot when it comes to fostering these treasured skills.  They see too much limitation and bureaucracy getting in the way of the learning process and I agree but I also see another entire comparison to note as well.

In the real world, we have very innovative, team oriented, and socially focused companies that really want to “do good” and leave this world a whole lot better than they started.  There are also companies that are manipulating, money driven, totalitarian in nature and are looking to pile their war chests as high as possible with the almighty dollar.  They have no intention of making this world better.  Ah…what to do?

If students (I think from this article Betty is referring to a majority but not all students feel this way about their school) see a lack of interaction or a regimented approach to memorization of answers and no buy in to the learning process as a way to find their true passions, then we have definitely failed the next generation.  Even if we attempt to integrate a teamwork approach or a shift in culture…it may not be enough.  If a student is set on sitting on the sidelines and not engaging…they won’t engage just because we now say that Geometry is really fun!  The concepts and practices still need to be performed in order for that student to truly comprehend the material…and if he/she doesn’t like that subject, there’s no buy in on their part.

Perhaps we need to shift even further to not only educate students to the basic subjects, but show the evolution of that subject from its beginning to the future possibilities of where that could take them and see if some passion emerges.  If it doesn’t, they will still realize the subject matter will still help them but their passion may be tied elsewhere.  The point is that students, given the right environment and shown enough opportunities, need to internalize it, they need to feel the value, they need to be interested in something, and they need to see other adults and even motivated teens engaged in a career that they are passionate about. 

I just wanted to say thank you Betty Sternberg for posting this article and stirring the passion in me to write this!