Hello.

[Broflovski]

My name's Haley and I'm in 11th grade. I was really glad to find this site (obviously). I've been slowly realizing what public school is really about the older I've gotten. Right now, I go to an amazing alternative school so I can't complain, but my past school experience, I assure you, was just as dull and tormenting as everyone Else's. I feel that it's to late for me to do anything about it, as my school years are ending and soon I'll graduate. I really hope that when I'm older, I'll see that students have started something, whether it be protesting, walk outs, or even a revolution. My opinion on my generation ( I'm sixteen) has never really been great. To be honest, I'm kind of revolted by the mass amounts of attention that we give computers and how greatly we value them. It annoys me that I'm the only one in my class that doesn't have a cell phone or Facebook, tumbler, twitter, and all that crap. Still, for the first time after discovering this site, I've begun to have great pride and faith in my generation. I believe that you guys can do something about school.
god why'd i pick such a long username...(changed it to something simpler).

[Trapacity]

Thanks for the confidence boost, Relieved. Lol

[Ky]

We will do something about it, but change is a gradual process. So is reversing the ageist, authoritarian bigotry this society soaks itself in.

[brainiac3397]

Looks like this site has gotten it's first fan.

[Ky]

(09-20-2013 02:12 PM)brainiac3397 Wrote:  Looks like this site has gotten it's first fan.

There's been countless, trust me.

[SoulRiser]

Welcome

Glad to see we've somehow increased your faith in humanity xD

What do you do for fun?

[brainiac3397]

(09-21-2013 06:30 AM)DoA Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 02:12 PM)brainiac3397 Wrote:  Looks like this site has gotten it's first fan.

There's been countless, trust me.

Were any "relieved to find this website" per chance?

[Ky]

(09-21-2013 03:59 PM)brainiac3397 Wrote:  

(09-21-2013 06:30 AM)DoA Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 02:12 PM)brainiac3397 Wrote:  Looks like this site has gotten it's first fan.

There's been countless, trust me.

Were any "relieved to find this website" per chance?

Specifically? Maybe, probably, but this person is probably the first to word it like that.

[Alistoriv]

The fact that you're getting out of school doesn't mean it's too late for you to do anything. In fact, it means you have more opportunities to change it. You can go and get a degree in education and help change the school system from there, you can be a teacher, etc. You could also right books and do things like the EFO (http://edfreedom.org).

[Broflovski]

I do nothing other than debate with adults. I purposly try to not become involved in these kind of things, as it stresses me out so I'll just leave it to you guys

[Broflovski]

Your right, but honostly i want nothing more than to detach myself from these kinds of things as soon as possible.

[xcriteria]

What do you want to do instead? What are your interests?

[xcriteria]

(09-20-2013 07:24 AM)DoA Wrote:  We will do something about it, but change is a gradual process. So is reversing the ageist, authoritarian bigotry this society soaks itself in.

Some change can happen quickly... especially in individual people's lives or in specific networks of people, with the right conditions. For example, introduce a new model of education, find educators who are frustrated with the status quo not working, and either change things or open a new school... or use a new networked format of connected learning.

(09-22-2013 01:45 PM)Alistoriv Wrote:  The fact that you're getting out of school doesn't mean it's too late for you to do anything. In fact, it means you have more opportunities to change it. You can go and get a degree in education and help change the school system from there, you can be a teacher, etc. You could also right books and do things like the EFO (http://edfreedom.org).

Exactly. There are also many more paths than just getting an education degree. There are many ways to teach and help people learn other than teaching in a traditional school. Many teachers are looking for better ways to teach, and learners are looking for better ways to learn, inside or outside of traditional school, in alternative schools or on their own.

And, there are more ways than ever to document that independent learning (badges, Accredible.com, Degreed.com, portfolios, and so on.)

And... it's important for learning to continue beyond school... making sense of life, developing skills, growing and improving at things... all those things school often doesn't help with very much.

So, it's up to everyone to look at how learning environments can be done better. Even forum and social media interaction can be a source of learning... and even these interactions can be documented and certified as meaningful steps... just as meaningful as assignments done for a class. This is one of the things connected learning is all about.

See Extreme Learning for one group of people who are working on promoting different kinds of learning.

Here's another person, George Siemens, who developed the concept of "connectivism," about de-schooling society:



Watch on YouTube

Change is happening if you know where to look for it. The next question is where you might want to fit into it.

[Gwedin]

(09-20-2013 03:30 AM)Relieved-To-Find-This-Website Wrote:  It annoys me that i'm the only one in my class that doesn't have a cell phone or facebook, tumblr, twitter, and all that crap.

Respect.

For what it's worth, welcome to the forums! I see other people trying to pry into your personal life, so I might just do the same. Musical interests? (I have a strange obsession with people who like the same music as me).

[Broflovski]

thx for the reply. I like Celtic music mainly. My favorite singer is Lynn Hilary and my favorite group is Celtic Woman.