Doug Belshaw's Open Educational Thinkering - Latest Comments in 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

paulbjaylee — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:36:38 -0000

Its great to see something being done, but, our issues fidelity 401k are too large to fix. I think we have several more years of this before things turn around.

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

annktrembley — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:45:22 -0000

I watched School of Rock a couple of nights ago. Unbelievably, given that I absolutely love High Fidelity - which stars Jack Black in a fidelity 401k somewhat similar role - I’d never seen it before. The film was great and I really enjoyed it; I also thought it gave some pointers as to what real learning experiences should look like.

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Doug Belshaw — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:21:15 -0000

Thanks Dan - I'm sure people will find that helpful. :)

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Doug Belshaw — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:21:15 -0000

Thanks Dan - I'm sure people will find that helpful. :)

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Dan Moorhouse — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:54:38 -0000

Not based on the film (which I love) but this is based on a similar set of ideas to those which Doug has identified:

http://www.schoolshistory.o...

Apologies for posting a boring (and long) lesson plan but I thought it may be handy to put something on here that shows how this sort of idea can be put together in a pedagogically sound manner. Students react extremely well to having creativity and personal expression embedded into their learning. The outcomes of that series of lessons was a Radio programme recorded and aired by a local station. Link to a recording of the programme if anyone is interested is http://www.schoolshistory.o...

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Dan Moorhouse — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:54:38 -0000

Not based on the film (which I love) but this is based on a similar set of ideas to those which Doug has identified:
http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/teachers/activit...

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Lisa Stevens — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:16:00 -0000

Haven't seen School of Rock but the 5 'lessons' make perfect sense!

I'd cite Kindergarten Cop - the use of a whistle, structure and marching with small children is unrated! Seriously, in my experience, kids like to know where they are with you and a bit of structure is the basis for ad hoc creative subversion.

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Lisa Stevens — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:16:00 -0000

Haven't seen School of Rock but the 5 'lessons' make perfect sense!

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Doug Belshaw — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:52:58 -0000

I'm glad you can all see what I saw in School of Rock! :-)

@Nick: Thanks for the links! And you're absolutely right about teacher autonomy. There's not enough of it, which de-professionalizes us all. :-(

@Ollie: I wanted to see Coach Carter when it was on the other day but missed it. I shall have to rent it. :-)

@Adam: Mobile phone policies are the bane of my life. I've got into trouble before for 'undermining other staff'...

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Doug Belshaw — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:52:58 -0000

I'm glad you can all see what I saw in School of Rock! :-)

@Nick: Thanks for the links! And you're absolutely right about teacher autonomy. There's not enough of it, which de-professionalizes us all. :-(

@Ollie: I wanted to see Coach Carter when it was on the other day but missed it. I shall have to rent it. :-)

@Adam: Mobile phone policies are the bane of my life. I've got into trouble before for 'undermining other staff'...

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

OllieBray — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:34:45 -0000

I love school of Rock! The other film that I really like (with an educational twist) is Coach Carter. I particularly like it as its based on a true story.

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

OllieBray — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:34:45 -0000

I love school of Rock! The other film that I really like (with an educational twist) is Coach Carter. I particularly like it as its based on a true story.

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Nick Francis — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:26:21 -0000

Very interesting observations on a fun feelgood film. I'm very lucky to be involved in a 'Smart' programme in my school where we focus on skills 8 lessons a fortnight w/ a y7 form.

I recently did 'Music Smart' and did a mini take on the 'school of rock' or 'Eurovision' called 'A Song for Smart'.

Pupils worked together in groups to create a song based on their experiences in the subject so far. They then had to sing together...it proved very surprising....a lot of pupils exceeded my expectations and then some.

I expect the next step where they create instruments and put music to the winning song to be AS surprising!

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Nick Francis — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:26:21 -0000

Very interesting observations on a fun feelgood film. I'm very lucky to be involved in a 'Smart' programme in my school where we focus on skills 8 lessons a fortnight w/ a y7 form.

I recently did 'Music Smart' and did a mini take on the 'school of rock' or 'Eurovision' called 'A Song for Smart'.

I expect the next step where they create instruments and put music to the winning song to be AS surprising!

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Adam Sutcliffe — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:48:59 -0000

Gulp. Just seeing my name mentioned in a comment makes me quiver. I too had similar thoughts when I first saw the film. I think students react well when there is an element of "risk" in thje classroom. On a couple of occasions I have had kids get out and use their phones in class to to record or share resources (bluetooth). There was definately a frisson amongst the students about explicitly doing something they really weren't supposed to, but with the backing of the teacher.
Ewan McIntosh recently twittered a question about whether it was ethically correct to use phones in a class when the school rules forbade their presence. I felt I could justify their use as they helped to achieve an educational goal.

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Adam Sutcliffe — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:48:59 -0000

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Damian — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:14:55 -0000

I've organized and performed in similar concert setups at my school, and I can't stress enough how much this does for students' self-esteem. I've had some kids perform who were very unmotivated and very withdrawn in school, but who come out of their shells with a guitar in their hands. It's so gratifying to see these kids get showered with praise by their teachers, which is something that never happens in the classroom for many of them.

I've also had parents tell me that they can see the difference in how their children conduct themselves at home - more confident, more outgoing, etc. - after being a part of these shows. Impact of speaking to multiple intelligences and all that...

I understand the point of the post was drawing out bigger-picture lessons, but I felt I needed to advocate for the rock as well. ;-) (wish there was an emoticon for a face melted by a face-melting solo)

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Damian — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:14:55 -0000

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Kevin — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 06:12:44 -0000

It's funny to think about School of Rock as inspiration for the classroom.
:)

BUT, in the week after a long poetry unit with my sixth graders, I switch to teaching songwriting -- we look at recent pop and rock songs and talk about them, and then they have to write a missing verse from one of my songs. It's just one stanza.
But, then, I bring in my electric guitar, amplifier, and set up the school PA system in my classroom, and I have my drum machine, and they come up and sing with me.

Most definitely connect with the experience and some (less now, as years go on) say, We're doing School of Rock!

It's a nice way to engage them as writers and performers.

Kevin

Re: 5 things School of Rock can teach us about real education

Kevin — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 06:12:44 -0000

It's funny to think about School of Rock as inspiration for the classroom.
:)

Most definitely connect with the experience and some (less now, as years go on) say, We're doing School of Rock!

It's a nice way to engage them as writers and performers.

Kevin