After watching a TED talk about Hackschooling by Logan LaPlante, I was amazed at the possibilities that we are missing in education because of the push for assessment of all and core curriculum. I am a big fan of hack schooling, with that being said I am a big fan of core curriculum. I can see a place where we have an opportunity to broaden our horizons as educators and meet the new world half way.
Block scheduling is something that is coming up in schools to create time for lessons to be taught and to give students more time to learn. It is my belief that with block scheduling schools can make hack schooling happen. By now I’m sure that you are asking what is hack schooling? And why is this guy talking about blocks? Hack schooling is a belief that is making school better by changing some things. In a blog that I read by Bud Hunt called “Centering on Essential Lessons” he discusses the idea of hacking schools and learning by making and playing. Students using their hands and using their minds is a great thing. If we could allow opportunities for students to step out of their comfort zones they will in turn have a better chance to find their passion at an early age.
Photo by: Jennifer Stratton
Now that we see what hack schooling is, I want to dive in to how we can implement this into public schools. Block scheduling is something that is making its way into education right now. Block scheduling allows for 90-minute class periods and you have less classes per day. 90 minute periods allows for many kinds of hands on activities to happen. This allows time for internships to take place or allows time for professionals from all backgrounds to teach students.
After reading Bud Hunt’s blog and watching Logun LaPlante’s video I was skeptical as normal. But after thinking about this idea and Bud explaining to me the actual definition of hacking, I decided that I am on board with the idea. That is what left me thinking about how to meet my feelings halfway to keep structure of education and to allow for a change. I truly believe this idea is on the way within the next 10 years because of the changing generations on the way. Students need to be challenged in today’s world but they must be interested or their attention is gone. Simply put if we wake up student’s interest scores will be soon to follow.
Diglitclass 
I like your block idea as a way to hack school. I went to high school were we had block and at the beginning of my freshman year I thought I would hate it. By the end of senior year I don’t think I would have learned as much as I did thanks to this kind of teaching.
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I experienced 50 minute periods and I wondered what it would be like to have block scheduling. I have always wondered what the good and the bad of both types of scheduling would be.
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Hey Ryan,
I think you make a really great point when you talk about block scheduling being one solution for making hack schooling a reality. The high school that I attended operated on a block schedule all four years and I absolutely loved it. There was so much more learning and discovery that took place that just logistically couldn’t have in a regular 45-50 minute class period. Block scheduling also allowed me to spend over an hour and a half in a kindergarten classroom every morning for an entire semester. This practicum experience gave me the chance to explore my interests and passions and was a major deciding factor in my decision to go into education. I agree that we should all be exploring ways to meet everyone “hack” way, and this could be a good place to start!
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I was hoping that someone who experienced a block schedule would comment on this! I just feel like the amount of time is the problem with independent learning and interning in a public school.
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