We were asked to watch the documentary “Most Likely to Succeed” for class, which highlights High Tech High, an innovative school that replaces traditional instruction with project-based learning (PBL). The film contrasts their PBL framework with conventional education, positing the relevance of current methods in preparing students for their ever evolving futures.
The documentary was insightful in that it showcased the power of PBL to engage students deeply in their learning. In particular, the documentary followed around students who were developing essential skills like collaboration, problem-solving, and adaptability – qualities not always highlighted in traditional education.
I expected the documentary to critique the current education system but didn’t anticipate such a compelling example of an alternative approach that works for students and teachers alike. It was intriguing to see how invested the study body was in each of their project streams. In my mind, the goal of teaching is to have students invested in what they are learning, and you certainly saw that was the case with the students in this documentary.
I believe this all matters because the traditional education model, focused on standardized testing and content memorization, doesn’t necessarily align with the skills students need for their future. High Tech High’s success challenges us as the viewer to rethink what education can or even should be. The emphasis on autonomy and creativity was a stark contrast to the rigid structures of traditional school that was my own education experience. My belief that engagement is the sweet spot of education was only further reinforced while watching this documentary, in that I came to realize the limitations of conventional teaching methods. Maybe it is time for a systemic change?
While looking deeper into PBL, I stumbled across this Youtube video. High Tech High focused on highschoolers but I was curious about how PBL could look for the elementary classroom. The statistics recorded and teacher anecdotes shared from this video has furthered my interest in PBL. Take a watch if you’d like!
With all that being said, although inspired, I still am overwhelmed with the idea of PBL. I wonder how the PBL approach could be implemented in larger, more traditional school systems? Do the benefits and skills learn extend long-term? I still have a lot more to learn, however, maybe effectiveness doesn’t have to look like an entire revolutionized school like High Tech High, maybe there are benefits in sometihng liek the power of 10%? What could my 10% different look line in my classroom? Maybe I could design projects that allow my students to tackle real-world problems. Maybe I could advocate for educational approaches that value critical thinking and collaboration over indivdiaul, siloed work. Maybe I can foster a classroom environment where my students feel empowered to take ownership of their learning and help direct where the learning goes to support their life beyond the walls of school?
If the goal of education is to be transformative for students, why should eduation itself not be transformed too?