DUNCAN, Okla_It's a class
where the teacher doesn't really teach, there are no textbooks, but students at
Duncan Middle School are learning and loving
it.
STEM class,
combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Duncan school administrators hope this is
just the beginning of a more engaging way to challenge students and educate
them like never before.
We've all been
in the class where the teacher stands in the front of the room and lectures, or
teaches students. You raise your hand and ask the teacher, that's old school,
not that there's anything wrong with that, but all it takes is one STEM class,
and you get it. It's different and different is good. The kids get it too, they
are learning by doing, having fun, working with a partner, if all classes were
like this, kids would love school.
The teacher
doesn't really teach, she is there as a facilitator, she doesn't have to bug
them to do their work either, they like it, therefore they do it.
"It is
something that the kids are learning to do by themselves without somebody
having to tell them how to do it. That's the biggest thing that I can think of
in this classroom. It is so individualized and so fun, it's just fun," facilitator
Tammy Bennett said.
What's the best
way to learn? For a lot of people, it's by doing.
"You learn
a lot more. You're doing it hands on. I mean you're using yourself, you're not
just looking in a book or asking the teacher how do I do this?"
When you ask
the students which method they prefer, old school books and teacher lectures or
this method, guess what they prefer?
"I prefer
this because it makes you personally have to think more, and have the teacher
think less. As Miss Bennett said when this started, she is the facilitator not
the teacher, so we can't just ask her for help all the time you have to
resource the internet and other sources."
Students get
their computer as class starts and go to work, without prompting, begging or
pleading because they want to do it. A teacher for 25 years, Miss Bennett
admits she's learned more than a few things since this class began.
"I've
learned that the kids are more engaged with what they want to do. They get to
work individually by themselves or with a partner. I've learned that they are
learning to communicate well with each other."
This teaching
concept, hands on learning utilizing technology could very well become
something you will see at schools everywhere.
"Classroom
of the future, hands on, paperless, all those things that you think of that's
coming in the future.
This is not
your typical classroom. Even when Miss Bennett was on the other side of the
room, the time when you could try to get away with stuff, they kept working. These
students are having fun, it is obvious, and it is obviously effective.
There are two STEM classes this year for eighth graders. Next year, Duncan Middle
School hopes to expand the program to six classes
for sixth through eighth grade students.
