In some educational settings across the country, student choice, especially when selecting courses, is becoming increasingly rigid. Even with elective courses, school systems are adding requirements to fulfill perceived needs, such as financial literacy and technological skills. Some school systems are experimenting with expansion in elective options, but most of those programs involve online instruction only. With reports of decreased motivation and reductions in student engagement as the high school years progress, one solution is to regard all courses as elective.
Many current situations in course planning are extremely structured and do not allow for many modifications as the years progress. Teenagers are at a height of physical, social, …show more content…
This is where the disinterest sets in and motivation diminishes. As Myles Horton states, “Curiosity is very important I think, and I think too much of education, starting with childhood education, is either designed to kill curiosity or it works out that way anyway” (191). When placed in courses that do not fit the student’s interests or skill-set, their curiosity and questioning are replaced by boredom and complacency. Of course, some students rise to the challenge of new academic environments, regardless of the content area, but that should be their …show more content…
As an avid reader and literature nerd, I wanted to study subjects out of my comfort zone and ended up taking three sciences, one as an independent study. I still enjoyed my English class, but the sciences and my drama honors course made that year so much more enjoyable. I felt I was doing what I wanted to do, instead of what was forced upon me. Freire’s declaration reminded me of this school year when I read, “...the great difficulty – or the great adventure! – is how to make education something which, in being serious, rigorous, methodical, and having a process, also creates happiness and joy” (170). All of these courses were demanding in their own ways and I pushed myself – and I was happy. The independent studies course allowed me ask questions and search for my own answers; my physics class expanded my mind and led me to seek metaphysical sources, which in turn, lead me back to literature and philosophy. Drama allowed me to be a creative introvert, working on set design and flourishing as a backstage player. What allowed this self-discovery were my teachers and the opportunity I was given to select my classes with less
Many current situations in course planning are extremely structured and do not allow for many modifications as the years progress. Teenagers are at a height of physical, social, …show more content…
This is where the disinterest sets in and motivation diminishes. As Myles Horton states, “Curiosity is very important I think, and I think too much of education, starting with childhood education, is either designed to kill curiosity or it works out that way anyway” (191). When placed in courses that do not fit the student’s interests or skill-set, their curiosity and questioning are replaced by boredom and complacency. Of course, some students rise to the challenge of new academic environments, regardless of the content area, but that should be their …show more content…
As an avid reader and literature nerd, I wanted to study subjects out of my comfort zone and ended up taking three sciences, one as an independent study. I still enjoyed my English class, but the sciences and my drama honors course made that year so much more enjoyable. I felt I was doing what I wanted to do, instead of what was forced upon me. Freire’s declaration reminded me of this school year when I read, “...the great difficulty – or the great adventure! – is how to make education something which, in being serious, rigorous, methodical, and having a process, also creates happiness and joy” (170). All of these courses were demanding in their own ways and I pushed myself – and I was happy. The independent studies course allowed me ask questions and search for my own answers; my physics class expanded my mind and led me to seek metaphysical sources, which in turn, lead me back to literature and philosophy. Drama allowed me to be a creative introvert, working on set design and flourishing as a backstage player. What allowed this self-discovery were my teachers and the opportunity I was given to select my classes with less