My good friend Mack McCary of NC New Schools Project shared a link to a TED talk by John Hunter. TED.com describes the talk:
“John Hunter puts all the problems of the world on a 4’x5′ plywood board — and lets his 4th-graders solve them. At TED2011, he explains how his World Peace Game engages schoolkids, and why the complex lessons it teaches — spontaneous, and always surprising — go further than classroom lectures can.”
What Hunter describes in his TED talk is an incredibly intricate PBL challenge for 4th graders. He readily admits that he has no idea of where the students will “run” with the challenge. The exercise causes the students to develop their critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving and innovation skills. The video clips of the students as they share their reflections of the projects demonstrate an amazing grasp of the subject matter.
It caused me to think about the interviews that Joe and I have done with CEOs from a broad assortment of industries. They collectively shared their concerns about finding highly skilled technical talent with the ability to collaborate, think creatively, problem solve and innovate. I am sure that if I could transport them to John Hunter’s 4th grade classroom that the CEOs would be delighted. These 4th graders are exhibiting the very skills that the CEOs crave for their workforce.
After a few moments of euphoria, I realized that none of the assessment tools currently in use by the states’ Department of Education are capable of measuring the amazing outcomes from Mr. Hunter’s 4th grade class. We don’t value learning that can’t be measured. Imagine trying to design an instrument to assess these outcomes. It seems impossible.
The only logical solution is to ask Mr. Hunter’s 4th graders to find a solution!
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