This week, we had Jeff Hopkins, principal of the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry, attend our class to talk about what is different about PSII compared to mainstream high schools. Here is a list of a few differences mentioned in the talk.
most mainstream high schools
- Subjects are split into separate courses and classes where the BC curriculum is taught. Slight overlap may occur.
- The curriculum is built on outcomes where every student is asked to demonstrate the same or similar learning trhough various assessments.
- Courses are pre-designed students with some alterations after the fact based on student needs and interests.
PSII
- Subjects are integrated in interdisciplinary combinations. The BC curriculum is
- The curriculum is built on personal curiosity (i.e inquiry) through close learner-teacher relationship. There is guidance by the teacher to develop areas of learning the learner may not have thought.
- Personal learning paths are created by learners and teachers together. Individual needs and interests are at the forefront of deciding how and what is being presented.
- The assessment framework.
Furthermore, there was a discussion on how PSII approaches its learning process. The approach is a balance of emergent and common curriculum. This allows for a steady balance between challenge and ability. This place of obtaining balance is called the “zone of proximal development”, and it will be different for each learner. As mentioned above, PSII focuses on individual learning paths. To do so, the teachers assist learners in developing personalized inquiry topics to be the umbrella for their projects and activities. The development of the inquiry is based on the students’ interests and personal needs. On the website, there are several resources that aid in the development of the inquiry process. See the buttons below to browse the site.
My Thoughts
I am truly on board with the student-centered approach. Allowing learners to take charge of their learning and develop an individualized path based on their interests is a great way to enhance engagement. I think having students learn developing upon their interests can be an extremely motivating tool. The assessment steps of connecting their interests, learning, and thinking to the curriculum subjects, rather than the other way around, is an innovative way to learn. Although, I do believe this type of approach is not for everyone. There is no one way to teach all people, therefore, having the option to various schools with different styles would be beneficial.
I did a quick search into what other schools have a similar style to PSII, and the first one that caught my eye was the Oak and Orca Bioregional School. They provide inquiry based learning and have an eco-centric focus. “Our vision is to provide educational opportunities that empower children to create fundamental social change towards more fulfilling and ecologically sustainable communities.”- David Orr
