And we're off with the blog....

A quote that I once heard, and that has stuck with me as an educator is that if Rip Van Winkle woke up from his nap the only thing he would recognize is the classroom. A teacher at the front of the room, standing in front of rows of desks with students reading out of textbooks and quietly listening while the teacher lectures.

Working in a career center we have seen students who have struggled in the dated, traditional classroom setting thrive and blossom in the hands on learning environment that is their lab. So why not change the academic classroom? 

Our journey to change the way we provided academic class began with an idea of incorporating what we referred to as "Hybrid Friday." Every Friday, students who qualified, meaning they had a 73% or higher in their class and no unexcused absences or discipline issues, did not have to attend their academic classes. Instead, assignments were posted on our LMS (learning management system) and they were required to complete the work before coming to class Monday. Hybrid Friday allowed students to use the time to take part in internships, volunteer opportunities or job placement. 

This idea of making Fridays an event has led us to our current model: an open, cohort style academic approach that allows students choice in time, content, approach and resources to some extent or another. The learning takes place in a large open area that can accommodate anywhere from 30-75 students at a time. In this area, every space can be used for multiple purposes ranging from working individually, in small groups or in large groups. Teachers of all subjects are readily available to answer any questions when not providing one on one interventions, small group instruction or pulling out large groups and conducting class in a more traditional manner. 

This blog will be a chronicle of our success, struggles, and the tools and strategies we use along the way.