My thoughts on the school of tinkering and our educational system

Gever Tulley’s approach to education and learning seems to be “just do it”. He gives children the tools to make something, anything really, and allows them to use their own minds rather than having someone there telling them exactly what to do. The children can make a mistake then solve the problem on their own. This approach to teaching and learning keeps kids interested in what they are doing because they are DOING, not just sitting in a classroom, being told information. This approach also instills confidence in the children because the instructors are putting trust in them by allowing them to use the tools that the general populace would deem “unsafe”. I think this is a great approach to education, especially for the younger generations, because they tend to have a higher level of physical energy as well as a more active and creative imagination.
In regards to our current education system, (not that I am an expert), I believe we have already started to incorporate the fundamental ideas of Tinkering School. I was told that Montessori Schools focus a bit more on the active learning versus the public schools. There are also more and more higher education schools that offer “hands on learning”. I think we need to have both styles of learning at every level of education for the simple reason that everyone is different, and there for learns differently.
I myself learn better when I can DO what I am learning, but not everything can be taught that way. I am imagining 8th grade Geography. Short of dressing up as the states, I am thinking the only way to learn the states and their capitals is to read, listen and write them down.
No matter what style of learning or teaching there is, all styles have a certain amount of failure. It is what we do with the failure that is important. Most people have come to realize that failure is nothing more than a sign. Failing a test would tell us to slow down, study more, or take better notes. A failed experiment would tell us to try a different approach, or new materials. Seeing a “Dead End” sign would tell us to turn around and try a different street. Some people take failure as a personal mark on their character, getting defensive and often blaming other people for the cause of the failure. I have a hard time believing a student when they say “I failed that test because the teacher doesn’t teach the right way”. In the terms of education, failure is not failure if you learned something from it.
Though I agree with the statement above, I also think that society has allowed failure to be acceptable. The national statistics show that we are getting farther and farther behind other countries in regards to math, science, and reading. America spends more than any other country except Switzerland per student at over $11,000.00. Why are we falling farther behind every year? I think America got just a little too comfortable thinking we were on top, and we don’t have to do anything to stay there. The world is changing, as more and more people and countries are able to receive higher education, they take full advantage of it. It won’t take long before American educated students won’t be able to compete in the global economy as well as their counterparts educated in other countries. If a different style of learning and teaching is a possible answer, then I fully support trying the Tinkering School nationally. I would be interested in knowing if Mr. Tulley has had the opportunity to try his theory with an older group of children, say college age, and how much of an impact would it have on their ability to absorb and retain information.

What I did over the weekend.

     This past weekend was like most other weekends for me.  I slept in Saturday morning until 8am, which was very nice.  After getting ready for work and eating breakfast, I went to the neighbors house (my dad's) and visited with my friend and her three children for about 45 minutes.  We played "Simon Says".  It was a lot of fun to make the twin 8 year old boys (who didn't like each other that morning) hug each other.  I left for work shortly after that. 
    Work was for the most part pretty uneventful.  It wasn't very busy so it was hard to stay motivated.  I took a lot of breaks.  The only thing that stands out, is my boss's father was in town to visit, a little to much to drink, and was trying to fire some of the other employees.  I will admit that it was difficult to talk him down when I agreed with him (drunk or not).  When I left to go home, everyone was still employed.  After work I went to one of Jason's aunt's house, it was about 9 pm, where she was having an "End of Summer" party.  I watched the rest of the family finish playing the six handed euchre tournament; Jason lost.  We then went home and went to bed around 11:30pm.
     Sunday was an at home day.  I did laundry, mowed lawn, did homework, as well as cleaned the house.  Jason and I went to my dads house for supper with some friends and my stepsister.  We had a great time.  We also planned Carolyn's birthday supper for next weekend.  Carolyn is the stepsister. 
     Monday was back to reality for me.  I worked in the office at the farm and then went to work.  Work was also pretty slow Monday with the cold weather.  I went home early, stopped at my dad's house, visited for a couple of hours, then went home.  I sent Jason off to work at 10 pm, watched an episode of "The Office", then went to bed. 
     For being a  holiday weekend, I didn't get much time for "holiday fun", though I did have a good time with my family and friends.

Get to know me

Hello, my name is Tammy Stremcha.  I am 25 years old and recently decided to further my education with a degree in accounting.  I have a wonderful husband, Jason, whom I have been married to for just over four years.  We have no children, (who has time?) but do get a kick out of our many nieces and nephews.  I am currently employed as a waitress at a local summer hotspot, where I enjoy the daily interaction with the general public.  When I am not at work, I am busy at home and on the farm that we live on in Nodine, Minnesota.  I take care of the financial books for the family farm, which wouldn't be as hard as it is if my dad (love him to pieces) was organized at all, or just didn't touch the paperwork.  I enjoy reading, though I can't remember the last book I read.  I also enjoy all types of movies except horror.  I am that person that seriously believes someone is running around killing people with a hook, and why isn't everyone else checking to make sure all the windows and doors are locked?  If I could go anywhere on earth, as of today I would go to Belize, to any incredibly expensive resort where they treat everyone like royalty.  Personal beaches, chocolates on the pillows, champagne every night, private nature tours, the list goes on, and I am now in my happy place. Aaaahhhh.  Short of winning the lottery, I doubt I will actually be able to go, and for now, I am OK with that.  I have an amazingly large family that I married into, too many to count- seriously people have tried.  My family is like everyone elses I am sure, irritating and great at the same time!  Surely I have bored you enough about me, its time to learn about everyone else-  post  to you later!