I’m going to describe a student. I’ll bet you can picture one similar. This kid seems unenthused by many of the prompts and activities that are issued or done in class. It isn’t that they are incapable, in fact just the opposite. They master directives quickly and effortlessly. Unfortunately, they complete their efforts without much enthusiasm. The student feels stuck in the endless wave of mundane requirements that overpopulate the typical k12 experience. They are disillusioned with the one size fits all approach to education. 

I’ll bet you can think of a student like this. Picture that young person in your mind. I’ll bet you worked hard to personalize this their instruction to give them room to grow and explore. Such efforts on your part are noble and I applaud you for it. But the fact remains that we probably don’t offer students enough intellectual freedom. We probably don’t leverage curiosity enough.

And this dear listener is where Collin Jewett makes a dramatic appearance. Collin was a classic bored student, but he doesn’t come to my podcast to vent. He’ll vent a little, but he’s more interested in helping. Think of Collin as a customer who actually completes a consumer feedback prompt and does so in the spirit of constructive criticism. We can learn a lot from students and former students like Collin if we have the courage and humility to listen. 

But Collin is not just an amicus curiae. He’s also invested in helping improve the educational experience. Collin is an impressive young man. At the ripe age of 24, he’s authored two books, he’s a learning coach, a blogger and a podcaster. He’s created a Facebook Group called Schools of Tomorrow, which will soon be a podcast. Collin gave a me a heads up to three blog posts that may be of particular interest to listeners:

• Attentional Disposition and Why You’re Probably Not an “Auditory Learner”
• Curiosity, Creativity, and Memory and How They are Connected
• RE-Awakening Your Creative Genius

Collin’s interest in improving schools is not just dinner party talking points. He’s acting on this passion. He provides a fascinating perspective in this episode that just may inspire you to try some novel approaches. 

Episode Template:

The Problem:

Many students are uninspired.

The Solution:

Offer students more academic freedom.

What you can do Tomorrow:

• Analyze an upcoming unit.
• Insert a prompt or activity which affords students intellectual and creative freedom. 
• Reach out to a former or present student who seems similar to Collin. Ask how you could improve a student’s academic experience. 

When one is curious and independently seeks answers, it can become a magical experience. 

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