Bright Spots: Doing authentic work that matters, matters

BRIGHT SPOTS

Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration

February 29, 2024

Dear Educator,

Do you remember dissecting things in school? I do! It was a rite of passage and I was recently reminded how different the experience is for some learners today, including my own kids. My own kids have had some opportunities to dissect things at home (among many other experiments) with their scientist dad so I was confused when my daughter came home upset after her first school “dissection.” She said it was fake and I didn’t understand. When we finally got the details, we learned that she didn’t actually get to the dissection; they “pretended with pipe cleaners”.

Even at a young age she understood the difference between using actual tools and being trusted to do something authentic. My Bright Spot this week highlights the power of trusting young people to use real tools to engage, learn, and do work that matters.

With Gratitude,

We want to hear from you! Share your Learner-Centered Bright Spot with us here.

BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK

Doing authentic work that matters, matters

This week I was visiting classrooms as we launched a new partnership in South San Francisco and I was thrilled to see students having the opportunity to do a DNA extraction with real tools that scientists use to understand and map the human genome, among other things. As I traveled to different lab stations students were being empowered learners as they read the directions, used the tools appropriately, and took care of the samples. All of the steps were critical so that they could effectively extract their own cells from their saliva and learn about their genotype and if they had a specific trait. Now THAT is an authentic purpose! Admittedly, I knew very little going into this classroom, but the students were great teachers and I loved learning about the process from them.

Students know when the work isn’t authentic, as exemplified by a comment my son made when I asked him to complete his homework. “Mom, why does it matter? It’s just trash can work.” He said all his worksheets just went in the trash can anyway, and it made him feel like his work (and he) didn’t matter.

I’d love to see your examples of authentic work! Reply to this newsletter to share or tag me @katiemartinedu and #LCBrightSpots on social.

RESOURCE ROUNDUP

We've curated these resources below that feature big and small ways to bring more authenticity to learning experiences.

1. Designing Authentic Projects. Access prompts that support the design of new authentic learning experiences and deepen current authentic learning practices, too.

2. Authentic learning matrix. This free tool will help you guide learners through our authentic learning continuum from connection to engagement, collaboration, and ultimately empowerment.

3. Real-world learning course. Learn how to design interdisciplinary, project-based learning experiences that tackle real-world problems.

4. New Podcast episode! Dr. Stephanie Buelow, Associate Professor of Literacy Education at the University of Hawaii, joined me on the podcast this week to share her experiences and insights as an educator aimed at putting learners at the center through literacy instruction and teacher development.

LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!

What are your authentic learning Bright Spots?

Share your #LCBrightSpots on social media!

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