Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the teaching methods employed at High Tech High School. They demonstrated that different approaches to teaching can be incredibly beneficial. Offering students alternative methods and encouraging creative, out-of-the-box ways to express their thoughts which can help them learn in unique and meaningful ways.
The documentary on High Tech High was intriguing because they didn’t teach their students in the conventional manner, which initially concerned many parents in their first year. A lot of parental worries centered around how students planning to attend college and take standardized tests like the SATs would fare in the long run. However, I wholeheartedly agree with the approach. Traditional high schools often emphasize rote memorization, where students cram information into their brains just for tests. High Tech High, on the other hand, didn’t rely on tests but still managed to instill more valuable knowledge in students than those forced to follow traditional methods.
From my personal perspective, much of my high school experience involved memorization. I never truly grasped why I knew what I did. It felt like I was constantly being taught how to hold information temporarily and regurgitate it onto a page to demonstrate my understanding. While I performed well in those classes, I hardly remember what I was taught, unless the subject genuinely interested me. The majority of the information seemed to get lost in the multitude of thoughts in my mind.
It’s crucial to explore new ways of teaching children. I’m particularly focused on the fact that we’ve been using the same educational system for decades. It’s high time for a change. Our education system needs an overhaul, with a focus on interactive classrooms and Socratic seminars.
In summary, my opinion of High Tech High is that if this model were implemented in more school districts, it could revolutionize learning and make education more meaningful.
Here is a link to the documentary: https://youtu.be/r7o0QBk-a1U?si=S9O3IPuR0THPIy3w