How do we change our school? How can we be change agents? The entire school environment may be hostile toward developing a project based curriculum or even a friendly environment.
The community culture is political and holding information is a form of control. Honesty is not common. all of it comes from the top. When principals withhold information that is constructive criticism or a problem articulated by a parent about a teacher a lack of trust builds up. When we can't all sit at the table and build, solve and talk because the principal is tearing down ideas and saying no by his/her lack of communicating quickly and openly then fear, low morale, distrust build and grow instead of productive ideas and solutions.

I agree with everything in the video. I have been promoting this kind of learning for over 20 years though my own practice and through many workshops. AS a well trained person I was able to institute many of the ideas she mentions in my Regents classes and was able to share and work with my staff to incorporate into their teaching.

There are several caveats though in the actual practice. First it requires a enlightened and supportive administration who are INSTRCUTINAL LEADERS and are committed to ONGOING teacher training (since many may not have the skills). Second, in many schools, particularly in New York City, the emphasis on test scores has eliminated real learning in favor of test preparation - even at the high school level. Too many students come in with little in the way of content knowledge since all of the learning is test driven. Third, although there are small school successes in New York City high schools, most are not enlightened and follow the factory model on a smaller scale but without the ability to be flexible for individual student needs.

Bart Bookman
Science Consultant - New York City

I appriceite the pressentation . I really found it be valuable for those who do not have knowhow of this topic. I want work with such endeavor next.so please be in touch with me.

Dear Linda Darlin-Hammon;

I understand quite well your point of view on the Social Emotional Learning (SEL), from the teaching of skills of interaction and skills o self management that lead to a well functional adult who will, in many ways than one, have social capabilities, emotional capabilities and on the long run Intellectual capabilities.

Nonetheless, you’ve mentioned that this in turn is due to the teams of teachers working together (SEL). What is the result of teams of students working together, to create a milieu of Collaborative Intelligence and hence a Collective Intelligence?

Yours truly
E. RICK BARADITH
ESL teacher, 2008

Dr. Darling-Hammond, your “Collaborative Classroom” video interview covering the social and emotional learners is great! It reminded me of an article in the September 2007 issue of Edutopia by Jill Flury. Her article, “Unacceptable: Many Teens Aren’t Emotionally Ready for College,” discussed the problems young adults face as they navigate their academic journeys to college. One possible solution she recommends is to develop college-prep curriculum that helps blossom the social and emotional attributes of young learners.

As the project based learning approach creates a smaller and more personalized learning environment, we can expect to see current and future K-12 learners grow and become solid, well-rounded contributors in tomorrow’s world. Your message serves as a great source of inspiration and I am looking forward to being a part of this revolution you are fueling.

Hi there, I live in Melbourne Australia and have two questions/comments that I would appreciate feedback with and I am so glad that you have such a wonderful website I agree with Professor Hammond that we need to redesign the school environment that we have inherited.

1. As a parent I want to start a parents group to work in partnership with the school what activity can be integrated to the school to assist long term objectives of SEL. I am thinking an active group that will be a permanent part of the school.

2. I am a driving instructor and am working towards having my own driving school and I believe SEL is an imperative part/ or should be an integrative part of driving instruction. Do you know of any resources/information that support this type of instruction?

In appreciation

Jacqueline Rozario

This is a great video to use for professional development and for groups considering school change. Linda Darling-Hammond explains several key concepts of redesigning schools to nurture collaborative learning -- and she does this so well in just a few minutes of video footage.