Courses
Self-Directed Project Learning Group
Taught by Rebecca Simpson
Full-Year 32-week Course
Course Description:
This course is all about supporting learners in working on projects of their own choosing! Class will include learning about methods of project management, including how to plan, iterate, note-take, communicate, and otherwise create systems where we can advance our own projects in areas of personal interest. Once per month, learners will take turns sharing what they are working on. This can be as formal or informal as the learner and their family choose. For example, it can be a full slideshow with images and text, or a video of a new skateboarding trick they’ve been working on (including some of the failures along the way!), or it can just be excitedly telling us about what they’ve been working with a few pictures or models to show us. In classes in between presentations, we will also have the opportunity to discuss project plans and any sticking points a learner might be experiencing.
It’s important to note that projects can be ongoing and fluid and nothing needs to be “finished” to present it to the group. Some projects might go on for months and the learner will give us monthly updates, and some projects might get dropped, and the learner will move on to something else next month. The definition of “project” is very flexible here, as I want to support learners in diving into whatever interests them! I have been running a group like this for many years and have had the pleasure of seeing a wonderful variety of self-directed work: sewing projects, chapters written for a book, code for a video game being designed, drawings of characters from a book series, D&D campaigns being planned, and clay models of favourite animals. The sky’s the limit!
Learners will learn strategies to plan and manage their own projects and also practice their communication skills, both formal and informal.
Schedule and Cost:
ages 10-14
Tuesday 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
IMPORTANT:
Registration will continue through the year until the course is full, and the cost will be pro-rated to reflect the remaining sessions.
For Tuition Fees, Code of Conduct, and all the details, see THE FINE PRINT
Required Homework:
Create a presentation once per month, which can be either formal or informal.
Other work may involve note-taking or creating plans or calendars to help themselves achieve their goals on their own projects. This will all be up to the learner based on what strategies they think will support their own projects.
Course Materials:
Over the course, there may be a need for a notebook or sticky notes or similar based on what strategies a learner wants to practice in their own project work. As for project supplies themselves, it’s entirely up to you!