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  A reply on Conversation: What are the advantages/disadvantages of learning models that exist outside of traditional educational institutions?

  Feb 15 2012: My pleasure. It's a lot of fun too!

• A reply on Conversation: What are the advantages/disadvantages of learning models that exist outside of traditional educational institutions?

  Feb 15 2012: What we do is a 6-month follow up where we do check-ins and get intermittent assessments back from the partner site but also, importantly, from the student regarding the partner site and their experiences there as well.

• A reply on Conversation: What are the advantages/disadvantages of learning models that exist outside of traditional educational institutions?

  Feb 15 2012: There can never be a benchmark on personality. Of course, I agree, who knows what will work for one person or not work for another.
  
  As an educator who is also an employer tho, I can't just depend on personality for the majority of the things I need accomplished. Personality can get you in doors but skills, the ability to learn and the ability to make deadlines is what keeps you in that door and making yourself at home.
  
  I see way too many kids coast by and even do alright based on personality until life hits them dead in the face.

• A reply on Conversation: What are the advantages/disadvantages of learning models that exist outside of traditional educational institutions?

  Feb 15 2012: Agreed. That's exactly the methodology we use at www.theremixproject.ca. It's a 6-month self-directed program with project leaders and industry mentors provided. We don't have any testing or examinations but rather "living plans" that we work from that evolve and grow as we do. The plans are generated by the young person with some in-put, support and critical thinking from the project leader at the beginning of the 6-month term after a week spent getting to know each other better.
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: What are the advantages/disadvantages of learning models that exist outside of traditional educational institutions?

  Feb 15 2012: I'm pretty sure we are supposed to be having the conversation amongst ourselves. The topic is just presented and hosted by Juliette. So let's talk! Already so many brilliant minds in here.
• +2

  A reply on Conversation: What are the advantages/disadvantages of learning models that exist outside of traditional educational institutions?

  Feb 15 2012: I would totally agree with that. What comes into question is the initial reasons for exams...making sure students are not falling through the cracks or coasting by under the radar. To make sure they are learning and retaining information.
  
  Of course what children need to retain, how they learn, what kind of skills they need to survive and thrive in the world have evolved and is evolving still. So I agree, the old systems of grading and examination are out of date. But what is their evolution? and how do we localize the practice and evaluation to a level where it honestly engages with the individual but at the same time doesn't take an Orwellian infrastructure to maintain? I think the "continuous assessment of pupils/students practical work in the classroom" is definitely wiser but there is something in me that still feels benchmarks of some sort are needed as well.
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  A reply on Conversation: What are the advantages/disadvantages of learning models that exist outside of traditional educational institutions?

  Feb 15 2012: Thanks for the link Ravi. I'm learning more about it now. I feel we have some similar thinkings. Check out www.theremixproject.ca when you get a chance.

• A reply on Conversation: What are the advantages/disadvantages of learning models that exist outside of traditional educational institutions?

  Feb 15 2012: Very well said. I definitely dig your perspective and methodology.
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: What are the advantages/disadvantages of learning models that exist outside of traditional educational institutions?

  Feb 15 2012: Interested to hear the answers to Trevor's questions. I also would love to hear about Breaker when the time is right in the conversation. (hi!)