Nullius in Verba

Sunday, January 27, 2013

High-Tech High

Click on the image above to watch a video of a school with a radical new approach to education and then answer the questions below. 

1) Would you like to study at High-tech High? Say why or why not.
2) How long can you go without connecting to a device or to the internet? What do you feel when you are not connected or don't have access to the internet?

25 comments:

Winston Vicente said...

To be honest, I would love to go to High Tech High, for the sole purpose of experiencing FULL technological learning. Instead of the very orthodox method of book learning, which most schools impose.

To be quite frank, my whole world revolves around technology, especially the internet.So I would feel very incomplete if I haven't connected to the internet in a way, I wouldn't even last a day away from the internet or my phone to be honest.

Shennin said...

1) Oh I would Definitely Love to go to High-Tech-High! I mean I hardly use the books to write now. These students design devices for various reasons that are not only used for the betterment of their education but also to help underprivileged children in need, to the african law enforcement, to the local community, all through technology and that to me is simply wonderful!

2) I think I'd be able to go without connecting to a device or the Internet for a couple of hours but definitely not longer than a day. Since I store everything on my ipad from school work to reminders to notes to pictures and the list goes on, I doubt I'd be able to live without it. I mean even now, if my ipad didnt send me a reminder to check edmodo, I might have forgotten to check this :b
I use my blackberry just as much, honestly without it i'd feel disconnected (pun intended) from the world. it's quite baffling actually, now that I think of it, how much I rely on my devices. (Just think, if something happens to them, you'd probably find me curled up in some dark hole in the corner, questioning life...)

Sue said...

I would love to study at High Tech High, too.. Although, like Winston said, a lot of schools still do use orthodox methods of learning, I'm sure any Sixth Former from Winchester would fit right in and not feel much more different than the way we work now! Like Shennin said above, she already stores all her school notes on her iPad and barely uses paper to write anymore. I'm often taken aback by how in touch we are with technology, especially when comparing to just the generation that passed out before us! If I do study at High Tech High, it would be less because of the technology they use (Since I feel I'm getting great exposure to technological learning already..) and more because the tech they use is benefiting others! And that's just great.

Quite frankly, I could go on for a few days without being connected to the Internet. I'm sure ill find myself bored out of my mind, but a few days nonetheless. When I'm not connected to the Internet, I feel out of the loop- as if I were looking into a room full of people interacting and I were standing outside gazing in through a window (Kind of creepy..?)

Teresa said...

High-tech High looks like a really fascinating place to study. I really liked how integrated the students were with communtiy service, and how they used technology to help themselves better apply the information that was given to them. I find the main problem with orthodox learning is after students are done with their exams they retain very little of the knowledge they learn, and there's obviously no point in going to school if you don't ever learn something valuable.

I'm ashamed to admit, but when I'm not connected to the internet I feel desolate- everything I do now involves using it in some form or the other,and so I really can't imagine living without it.

neineisharie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
neineisharie said...

Honestly, High Tech High is a great idea - and it's a much better way of making things more accessible to people who can't really afford things like stationary, text books (which are really quite expensive) and just school necessities in general. As for whether I'd like to go, well, sure. Why not. School is school, no matter how you carry out the lessons.

TAKE AWAY MY INTERNET, AND THERE WILL BE A LOT OF PAIN. My main means of keeping in touch with my friends is via the internet. I blog via the internet. I contact universities via the internet. I maintain my sanity via the internet. I keep up to date with a nuanced selection of sources via the internet. We're at an advantage with the internet, and to take away that advantage would seriously be crippling.

Unknown said...

I would undoubtedly prefer to study there, mostly beacause they don't learn out of a syllabus. It's a very interactive system, the students seem a lot more interested to learn and it benefits worldwide. I think all schools should adapt this way of learning as it makes a lot more sense than the current book learning.

I think the only time I don't use any device, is when I'm asleep. Regardless of whether ot not I have internet access I can't keep away from my phone or my laptop.

Raya said...

What I really don't get is why all schools don't try to adopt such a system. With our technology advancing in power exponentially, it seems like our education system is failing to keep up - hence high tech schools like this one give me hope. Like most people who have already commented, I would love to attend a school where such an interactive and innovation system is adopted. For students of this generation, learning would actually be fun. And as for me - I think even though I'm not abnormally addicted to my devices, I am just extremely attached. I think like almost every other human living in 2012, my gadget is becoming a part of me, which again, doesn't have to be a bad thing !

Unknown said...

In my opinion ,i would love to study at hi tech high , iys an amazing way and intractive way of learning . Where students not only gets enlightened by knowledge but there public speaking skills gets polished.They know what they learn snd love what they study unlike the orthodox way of learning where you just know that DNA are are polynucleotides strands but dont know how it looks like. In high tech high learning is more practical and meaningful .

I guess a barely a day,my devices keeps me updated about whats happening around the worlds,helps to keep me in touch with family, friends and relatives,and keeps me organised .
I will probably feel extremely devastated and i dunt know really akward never really imagined about it .

Unknown said...

High Tech High adapts a really different way of learning - teaching and I would love to be a student there. Technology is advancing so fast these days and its so overwhelming sometimes thinking that one day, like this school, textbooks won't be used as much, or at all. Learning through only technology would actually be a great idea.

I wouldn't be able to go too long without any devices, I mean, who can in times of now? Internet has become such an important part of life that living without it just couldn't happen.

Mehvash:] said...

Yes, I'd definitely love going to High-tech High. They're doing everything they possibly can to prepare their students for the future and are moulding them into the people they want to grow up to be. There's hands-on experience to truly understand your field of study and knowing whether it's something you want to pursue or not. I also really like their method of assessment- it's how it should be, based on assignments and projects that take place throughout the year, rather than an end-of-year exam. This would be the perfect example for Behshid's TEDx talk.

I don't think I'd last too long without the internet.. it really depends where I am and what I'm doing. For instance, whenever I'm on holiday, either exploring new places or visit family in India, I barely ever have access to the internet. And even when I do, I'm way too busy doing other things that are keeping me occupied. However, if I'm just sitting at home, I don't think I'd be able to last too long. I'd be straight out bored. There's only so many books I can read. I need to be connected to the rest of the world, watch videos and movies, read articles and blogs, check my twitter feed (Guilty as charged) and all the other things I do with the internet.

Ramin Moeen Zadeh said...

to be honest the only thing I liked about the school is the way they assess their student, without any written examination. I like to learn from the actual books, I guess i'm old fashioned in that way and too much usage of technology just messes with my head.
It would be awful to lose internet but life goes on, it might be harder to live but you still have other ways to communicate, the ancient people did it for centuries and i believe we can go on living as well.

Momminah said...

Okay, who wouldn't want to go to High Tech High? It's incredible what they're doing, already behaving like professionals and doing projects. Along with that, they're also helping so many causes. I think that's great, and I'd love to be a part of it.

I think I would be able to go without connecting to the internet for a day and a half maybe. Definitely not more than that. It seems impossible really, because of how it helps us in so many ways, whether it's schoolwork, social networking or even just some regular research. I feel disconnected if I don't have access to the internet for very long.

Anonymous said...

I would like to visit HTH but I wouldn't actually like to attend school there, the amount of productive things they do their is far beyond overwhelming. I'm astounded and overjoyed that such an institute exist in which technological advancement is at the forefront of each students educational experience. However, I personally would feel, ironically, disconnected. Disconnected from the simpler things in life. Being constantly induced by technology isn't something I fancy to the extent that many others do.

I often spend a lot of time away from the Internet at stretches between a few hours to a few days. I would especially on holidays or trips.

There are times when I'd feel dull and unconnected, then there are times when it feels somewhat of an invigorating adventure to find new ways of entertainment and exploring older ways of doing things.

Marwan said...

Yes I would want to study at High-tech High. Not just for the technological learning but also for their involvement in their community and the world around them. I'm just about always connected to the internet, whether through my phone or laptop so it's hard to imagine not having it now that I'm always surrounded by it as compared to when I was a kid and these things didn't exist yet. If I'm not connected by any means then I usually feel disconnected from the world, it's current events and my social life.

Unknown said...

I would enjoy going to High Tech High as it would be exciting to experience something new and different in the way of learning

I myself use the internet at least once a day to keep in touch with the latest updates and new trends going around. Otherwise I would feel like Im being left behind from the rest of the world which is quite odd to say.

However I would miss the old fashioned ways for example mailing a letter and reading books. As these feel more personal and I would feel more fulfilled finishing a book than finishing and online version of it.

Daniel Toth said...

1) I would like to experience both the traditional type of schooling and the high-tech type, if i had to choose between both i would probably go with the high-tech one because as technology is changing we have to adapt to the ways of learning.

2) I have no problem with not connecting to any gadgets or the internet as long as i have another kind of entertainment like going out with friends, exercising...etc.

Unknown said...

I love the idea of High Tech High as it does cope up with the technological advancements our planet goes through. However, I personally would not want to study in a school where everything is technologized and advanced. Yes technology allows us to stay updated with literally almost everything nowadays but I personally believe not every career requires extensive amount of knowledge. Some prefer it to keep it simple.

I dont think I'd be able to stand a day without internet. It's evolved in a way where we can call it a necessity and without it, like everybody else, wouldn't be able to survive. However, the internet does get quite dull at times which is then I decide to go out.

javier said...

Wow im impressed by this,it seems like a. Ery good idea.
Answering the questions 1-i dont know if i would want to be surrounded by technology all day long,its surely a good idea for learning,and getting the idea of how real people work and get some experience, but, in my opinion i dont think its good to be surrounded by technology all the time because of health matters, but if i was interested in any thing they offered i would probably say that i would like to be there and do experience it because i know it would prepare me well for the future.
2-to log into a device long time i hate loging in,and checking inboxes and emails and etc., but without using the internet,well ill have to say that it depends on what for,if its for loging to facebook for example i could survive e for months,but if its to listen to a song maybe a few days.
3-i dont feel anything to be honest, some questions do pop into my mind such as"will anyone be missing me?" or "what if someone needs something important?"but then i think, i"i have a phone so if anything is important they will find the way to contact me",but sooner or later i guess ill need to get into a device to access the internet to see a movie or something, since tv now days doesnt show productive things, or even interested movies,shows or series, spcially in the mornings

Benedickte said...

Wow looks pretty awesome. Like the rest have already said, a lot of students barely use notebooks or textbooks anymore, everyone has already gotten used to reading and writing everything on their laptops, IPads etc. I love the idea of it being greatly beneficial to others in need as well..

However, although I am really impressed with how the school operates and although I myself sometimes use my Ipad quite a lot more than my book I'll have to agree with Shaday and Ramin. I'd love to visit High-tech High, however I'm not too sure about studying there.

Not so long ago the power was cut in our house for days and plus my phone had no service. It actually wasn't so bad! I mean, for a while I did have to sit in the dark with a candle light doing my work..:p

Unknown said...

To be honest, I'm a bit on both sides. I would like to go there because it uses the students full potential in different ways, and doesn't just focus on how well they can remember something from a textbook and put it back down on paper. It's very interactive and I think that's important.
However, I still believe that nothing can really replace books. I may be "old-schooled" in that way, but the feel if a book, gives it a sort of importance. The idea of that school, kind of terminates the traditional way of learning. Granted, technology and the world is advancing, but that doesn't mean that everything should be different, and the old ways completely forgotten.

In all honesty, most may find this hard to believe, but I can go for a very long time without my cell phone or the Internet. The only real reason, I use it is so that I am not completely disconnected from people that I am dearly close to. I proved that to myself the past summer, as I was completely disconnected from the technological world, no cell phone or Internet for a month and only a bit through out the rest of the time.
I actually feel at peace without it, as there isn't always something going on that way. I think that sometimes, everyone just needs some time off from their devices.

Unknown said...

I personally like the traditional way of studying of writing down things and the essence of books. I really like the interactive study like our literature classes but using technology is not my thing because i tend diverting my mind to social networking sites or games.But i know now days many people love using technology this is just my personal opinion.
The amount of time that i spent my time on internet is is a lot but i mostly tend using internet for my own personal leisure activities other than studying. but i cant live more than 2-3 days without internet i feel like life has no means and I've lost connection with my world.

Unknown said...

I do like the idea of High Tech High because students get to interact more with technology such as tablets and laptops, making it easier to have all their notes stored in one place. Also with its help, they are able to have access to websites, by researching on topics that they are tackling today. However I would not want to join a school that only requires the usage of technology. I would consider studying on a school environment that uses both books and technology so that they have a balance of interactive learning in and out the classroom.

I usually use the internet for mostly studying, researching and for leisure activities too. If I don’t use my laptop, then I would just read a book, do some homework or revise my other subjects.

Unknown said...

The internet has become a crucial part of any teens life, making simple access to a wealth of information as well as a great way to socialise for them too. They can do their homework and research online and have instant access to hundreds of thousands of well written informative articles without even needing to leave the home and it is exactly the same for me hence I would love to be a part of something like high tech high

Unknown said...

1)I would really like to go to High Tech high mainly because like most people nowdays, I prefer using an ipad to take down notes and use apps to learn algebra and in this school , it is possible for you to have all that without having a teacher on your back telling you to put your ipad back in your backpack..
2)Being disconnected from the internet is like having one of your hands chopped off... In today's world google has become a companion that helps with everything; from assignments to directions to go to the mall. My life would be a disaster without it!