I'm looking for feedback concerning a model I've been working with. I'm calling it Minnesota Learning Academy, and the idea is that it would be hands-on, innovative, cutting-edge. Classes would be organized by 8 project-based departments. Students would run or help to run most aspects of the school, everything from the finances to the school's cafeteria and clinic, media expressions, and performing arts, and much more. Students learn more generally when they are younger and become more specialized as they move up the ranks of the departments. New computer "epistemic" games and other leading-edge technology is used as are real tools of the trade. Partnerships is a huge part of this school. Students are constantly interacting with professionals both at the school and at job-sites. This aspect will require a full-time position at the school of "partnerships liaison" to develop these relationships and oversee the coming and going of students and mentors alike. The technology coordinator would assist in finding partnerships online- making virtual connections. Each department would have a team of teachers which worked with student leadership in each department to develop and oversee projects and responsibilities of that department. I'll stop here for now. There's more on the MLA blog http://minnesotalearningacademy.blogspot.com/ so check it out and please send your feedback to either blog or email me directly at pauldunkirk@gmail.com
Thanks for your time.
