Sugata Mitra's New Experiments in Self-Teaching

Day One Video: Sugata Mitra's new experiments in self-teaching - YouTube

Day Three Video: Sugata Mitra: Build a School in the Cloud - YouTube

After viewing Sugata Mitra's TED Talk on day one, there was a particular line stood out to me as the vital ingredient to his research and our work as educators. In referencing a conversation with Arthur C Clarke, he shares his statement that "if children have interest, then education happens". Whenever observing classrooms or student projects, the factor that always plays in their engagement is their interest. Their interest in the subject, project or activity. In working with students who are struggling, I often find they aren't interested. Imagine that. Their education lacks relevance to them, either because it has no relevance to their goals and interests or no one has helped them make the connection.

At the same time, I realize we can't make those connections all the time in every class and activity. I believe Sugata's research shows us another avenue to creating interest. We can make subjects that aren't relevant to them interesting. All of us as humans has a curiosity that showed in Sugata's work. Technology and teamwork gives us the ability to send students off with a task they know nothing about and learn. The unknown in itself can create interest for students. Students can self-teach and be motivated learners when we provide enough freedom for them to discover and uncover in a social way.

Do you think its possible we stifle student motivation and interest by not giving them enough freedom to learn on their own?

I would be interested to hear from anyone who watches the second TED talk and is not struck by the girl in the pictures response. I believe this is what our students are asking and waiting for us as a community to do. We need to put the tools needed to prepare for their future in their hands. It is time of the system of education we've had for centuries to lay down and make way for new forms of education that motivate and prepare our students for their future. Whether it is Sugata's SOLE or another form of innovative education, we need to find what motivates and prepares and stop trying to do it from the framework we've been working in for what seems like ever... how do we create enough freedom in our public schools systems to become innovative and relevant to our student's futures?