The basics of readin', writin' and 'lsquo;rhthmetic are about to be taught in different way.
Starting in September, Grade 8 and 9 students at Kelly Road secondary school who sign up for a new personal learning choice program will ditch their conventional school schedules to adopt a project-based model that will have them learning several subjects at the same time.
Those students will be encouraged to choose project topics that peak their interest most, using laptop computers, tablets and smart phones to learn the required elements of their core courses.
Tonight at 7 p.m., Kelly Road will host a one-hour information and question period to unveil how the personal learning program will work. The new program is open to all students in School District 57 and now's the time for parents and students to decide if it's the right fit for them.
"The student transfer process is coming up in February and we want to have parents aware there is a new program out there for Grade 8 and 9 students and if they are interested, apply for the program," said Kelly Road principal Lee Karpenko. "We need 25 students, but 100 would be
optimal because then you could have four teachers and have their expertise working together."
The course material will cover all of the Education Ministry's prescribed learning outcomes and students will be able to achieve a Dogwood diploma upon graduation and go on to university-level courses.
The interdisciplinary approach to the projects will encourage continuous overlap between subjects so, for instance, they develop English skills while working out math problems using scientific principles. Instead of the current 72-minute blocks schools allot to each subject, the only limit on class time would be the length of the school day.
Students would have more opportunities to collaborate with other students on their projects to learn leadership, self-motivational methods and practical skills geared to the workplace.
"We aren't changing the curriculum, it's just how we teach it that's changing," said Karpenko. "This takes away that barrier so the math teacher, the science teacher and English teacher are all working together to come up with comprehensive projects for the kids."
The flexible daily schedule will allow the teacher or teachers to cover topics that all students need to work on, then break into smaller groups, according to the interests of the students. Time will be set aside for daily physical activities.
Student progress will be measured through surveys filled out by the students as well as feedback provided by teachers and parents.
All students will be required to have a digital device like a laptop, tablet or smart phone.
For students who can't afford them, Karpenko said some equipment from private donors will be available to them.
The program follows the ministry's push to incorporate a 21st century learning model for students to promote technology and innovation to increase the learning ability of students and keep them focused as they apply knowledge to problem-solving, information analysis, numeracy, literacy and decision-making.
"I can see this keeping kids in school, doing better," said
Karpenko.
"A lot of kids are disengaged, they're not interested in school and don't want to be part of it. So if we can make it meaningful to them, what parent doesn't want that?"
Kelly Road and district staff went to Fort St. John in November for a tour of a similar choice program for Grade 10 students at North Peace secondary school, which started last year. The program is based on a 10-year-old program in San Diego called High Tech High.
More information is available on Karpenko's blog at nlc.sd57.bc.ca.
