An Interesting After School Program Idea

August 3, 2008 by dave

Cornell graduate Carol sent me a note about Bronze Inc., her entry in the ideablob. If her idea is selected as the best of the month, she'll receive $10,000 that she can use to make her project a reality.

Her idea has already been discussed at EdReckoning and the Core Knowledge blog.

I think the basic idea is a sound one.

Putting Fun where it Belongs:

Engaging students in the learning process has changed the purpose of teaching from ensuring mastery of content to making sure students are entertained. Much like diet pills and programs that promise you’ll lose 10 pounds without adjustments in diet and exercise, this approach insists students can learn without any hard work. This simply is not true. As with any other skill, practice is needed to ensure understanding and retention. Instead of diluting effectiveness by forcing lessons to be entertaining, Bronze saves the entertainment for after students have completed their tasks for the day. This helps students learn to value and understand that the learning process can be both difficult and rewarding in and of itself.

Video games, simulated experiences, indoor miniature golf, bowling, small in-house movie screening rooms and more will eventually be part of the entertainment options waiting for students who complete their work. Each game or experience will cost students a certain number of points earned from their assignments, producing incentives that are not as far off on the horizon as college and a good job, but don’t crowd out the rigor of the days lesson.

Here's a visual representation of her idea:

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Combining these simple incentives with a rigorous academic program of direct instruction makes a lot of sense. If well implemented, it could make a difference. Visit her blog. If you think her idea is worth supporting, go to the ideablob page to vote for her. Good luck Carol!

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