"How to Fix Schools"

There will be a new book published in September by a High School student, Nikhil Goyal who states "Learning is messy." In a television interview he also mentions a school that is "working" called Brightworks and is based in San Francisco.

His statement about learning being "messy" rings true to education and art. It's not a new statement though. I found others who have said this, such as Brian who writes a Blog called Learning is Messy. I'm in total agreement that learning does get "messy" but one has to allow students to experiment so creativity can take place. Worksheets and multiple choice tests just will not help this endeavor. If students are not allowed to try things, experiment and make messes then how will they really learn? 

When we talk about being messy, it's not only using materials to create things. We're dealing with students who are in the process of learning and discovering many things, based on their past experiences. When grouped together and allowed to create real world projects, who knows what will rise from the mess.

So now that I've been reminded of the value of "messy" it's time to start thinking of how to create ways for lecture halls full of art appreciation students to get "messy" in a University that is as strict with what hangs on walls as Frank Lloyd Wright was when he designed a house with all its furnishings. 

This could be called a mess but it will be guided by a set of student outcomes that need to be assessed as well as this facilitator/course designer who wants to allow learning to take place. I can't fix schools but I can fix my own classes and allow students to experiment and create.