Dave Eggers wish: Once Upon A School Review (#6)

     A wish for students is one that will truly change the world. Dave Eggers's TED explains his wish for a new teaching technique in tutoring based on his own experience as an entrepreneur/writer/tutor leader. Eggers's emphasis in his tactics interested me because it involved not only one on one instruction, but immersion in an exciting learning environment. The kids in his unique centers (such as his pirate supply/publishing office/tutoring center) are intermixed with working adults and other kids from their communities. I believe this is a great way of teaching because this kind of learning is one without barriers and involves connective/creative thinking; which Dan Pink would approve of. The fact that parents are also able to get involved and watch their children learn in a new way intrigues me as well. Many families are so disconnected today that by simply making the tutoring accessible to the ordinary child and parent, as this system does, the family in turn will be more in tune with the future of their child's education; which, is so important to looking toward the future.
     Dave Eggers is not a wonderful public speaker. I could have focused more on his passion and words without his continuous fidgeting and inability to look up for the majority of the time. However, his willingness to accept that he did not always articulate himself well made him easy to empathize with. Once I got over the swaying and wringing of hands, I noticed that his style was so obviously one of a writer's. His vocabulary had a large range and he used humorous observations about life to lighten the mood. I also noticed a mess of papers of his speech on the floor next to him, which made me laugh as well. What made him really interesting though, was his use of story. Because he is a writer, he used his talk generally made up completely of stories, and executed them well. At first, I thought there was too much story, but, I realized that this is a very personal topic to him. If he were not to tell these tales of his life and how he began his business in tutoring, he would have no credibility. This is one aspect I need to make sure to get across in my own TED talk because my supporting statements are all based on media and personal story as well.

     Inside many of Eggers's tales were a lesson to the world. His essential message is an inspiration for people to use their talents in a new way to help the greater good, and, more specifically, create a new way of teaching and/or tutoring. The issue of one on one attention for students was his main goal. Letting a child know that they are the center of attention in their learning creates exponential opportunities for them to grow. This technique allows the student confidence in their work because they are with one person they trust; which, in the future, lets them free their minds from fear of being wrong and using their creativity in the world.
     A new way of going about teaching is something that can be done teacher by teacher, and school by school, but should eventually become a world-wide effort.  I find it a helpful tool when my teachers or I take the time to meet one on one because our ideas can be bounced off one another specifically and become meshed into a greater idea than the original. In terms of affecting education as a whole, this has come up in several of my English class's fishbowls about A Whole New Mind because students right brained thinking has not been accessed properly in traditional teaching. We have explored thoughts about new structures to schedules but never thought about simply adding more one on one time and possibly, as Eggers's volunteer tutors do, have local tutors come into class to help out. Techniques like this illustrate a creative way of solving education problems instead of simply looking at budget concerns. Once the world has experienced the new teaching theme, which will be a long time from now, the effects of newly transformed students can lead to astronomical advancements in all fields. Through Eggers's teaching/tutoring tactics, pupils are willing to become leaders and make a difference in the world because their ideas are being heard by a teacher who is with them at all times, and then the whole world.

For more information on Dave Eggers's wish and how you can make a difference go to: http://onceuponaschool.org/


Pictures: 1) http://lauralyall.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/dave_l.jpg
     2) http://www.anguslloyd.com/images/homeworkhelp.jpg