Students Respond to E|E’s Assertions

Christine Amarila
Sophomore International Studies Major at University of California San Diego

Going from a project-based learning high school to a traditional four-year university was quite the jump, and no changes were more obvious than those in the realm of academics. My high school experience was far from traditional. The high school I went to, High Tech High, for the most part stayed away from the conventional educational trappings of a typical American high school.

The very core of my high school education was largely determined by me, as a student. I could take my projects and my learning as far as I wanted. The projects we did encouraged us to think outside of the box and look at the common topics taught in schools through a different type of lens. As students, we were encouraged to work well in a group and to work well alone.

These experiences at High Tech High helped me through my first year in college. I was able to tackle assignments, enter discussions and work with a different perspective in mind. This allowed me to stand out, in a positive way, from the rest of the students and allowed the larger community around me to hear my fresh viewpoints.

Ted Kolderie’s theory that education reform is moving away from the established “one size fits all” idea of education towards allowing learning to more so fit an individual is relevant in a society where change happens instantly. This theory fits the culture of today where teens are moving through life at the speed of light. All the new advances in technology, pop culture and the global community as a whole are making kids learn how to make better decisions in a quick-paced environment. We are not afforded the luxury of time in this day and age. The ones who know how to adapt the quickest gain an edge. Also, Kolderie’s concept of re-inventing education should not come as a surprise to anyone. The primary goal of education should be to constantly challenge people and help them adapt to our ever changing world.

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