"That's what we've noticed about minecraft, too -the amount of online learning kids do together without grown ups.
Collaborative learning, instead of instruction.
Is the learning invalid just because it's driven by kids who want to play a game? What I mean is, shouldn't learning like that "count?" Collaborative learning is a life skill, not really a school skill. In some school situations, collaboration is "cheating".
If kids only get graded on what the teacher thinks is important, how much do the teachers miss?
An adult asked one of my kids the other day how his grades were. My son kind of looked at me, at a loss. His "grades" are fine, except nobody grades him. About every four months, we write up something detailing our kids' activities, major accomplishments, and interests.
And sometimes the accomplishment is … personal. Spent six months with the neighbors on scooters and skateboards having an ongoing nerf war… That's phys ed, leadership, construction, persuasion, problem solving, financial management, and first aid. We don't really grade it, just make note of it and talk it over with him.
For other activities, the only grade is 100%. Rosetta Stone doesn't advance until your answer is correct. The piano teacher doesn't pass you until the piece is correct. You don't get the part unless your audition is good. Your robot either works or it does not work, and you fix it. Your basketball team wins or loses. The dog learns the new skill, or the child keeps training and practicing.
I try to validate the art of deliberate practice so my kids see the connection between training and results.
I would worry if they spent a lot of time thinking about "grades". Learning is what matters.
Posted by mh on November 19, 2014 at 9:04 am | permalink |
