Wednesday, October 20, 2010
This project has 2 parts, a University part that ASU is partnering with UAM here and the public education part that we are partnering with. Today we visited a school in Jerzykowie, about an hour outside of Poznan. I've downloaded a few videos on my youtube page to give you an idea of the school. They have great technology, beautiful campus and the school has a "home" feel to it. It is a village school with 350 students in the equivalent of our 1st-8th grades. Some key differences from this school and US schools:
· All teachers have obligatory 2 hours a week of "extracurricular." They do clubs like geography club, instructional technology club, math club, etc. Students choose which ones interest them and attend 2 afternoons a week for an hour each.
· No sports teams at schools. Children play for sports clubs.
· School starts around 7, they have what they called "2nd breakfast" which students bring from home. It's a light snack and the school provides free milk for students. At 2:00 school dismisses and students go home for lunch. No school lunches. (the staff lunchroom is on my youtube video I posted today)
· Schools don't have "textbooks" but students are required to buy books. They are assigned books, and for each subject they are 70-100 pages and like a workbook. There are illustrations, with room for note etc. Students keep them after year's end for later reference. (you can see an example on the longer video I posted today)
· No group work. Students sit at 2 person tables in rows. (you can see on the longer video on youtube I posted)
· Buses only run for gimnazjum students. Primary students rode scooters, bikes, walked or parents brought.
· The teachers post essential questions on the board before lesson
· When I asked about discipline, several teachers said that in these village schools, there is none. Everyone is close knit and teachers/neighbors serve as surrogate parents and discipline when needed (which is very rare)
· All classroom doors have a crucifix hanging above (in all public schools)
· Students are responsible for providing plants for all classrooms. There are lots of beautiful plants hanging in every room.
· We have been told that 90% of homes have internet and 95% have computers
We observed several classrooms (on video), we spoke to the teachers and the lead teacher (they called her headmaster, but she teaches there as well), and we met with the local city mayor. He has offered to help support this project.
During our lunch with the mayor, we went over details of the project. Their teachers are very excited about possibly working with US schools and teachers. Details are still being ironed out, but we should not have a shortage of willingness on both sides.
The school has a distance learning center for adults to take classes. They also offer distance learning classes for disabled students.
Much of what I may write can be seen on the new videos I've downloaded tonight.
Tomorrow we have to leave very early for other school visits in neighboring towns. We are taking the bus. Friday, we are scheduled to meet the province superintendent.
The world is definitely flattening. Our issues are the same as their issues and our students can now more easily visit or speak to others from around the world in seconds.
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