Joshua Medcalf on Living That Life of Purpose

Introduction

In my GHEnglish class we listened to a podcast with Don Wettrick interviewing Joshua Medcalf, a well known figure in education for his promotion of 20 percent time and reforms in education.

Views of School System

Medcalf has very distinct and resolute opinions on our current school system. He believes the administration gives too many tests and creates “safe zones”, where children can’t experience struggles or hardships. He is very adamant that is students don’t experience struggle at a young age and are always kept protected, than they will have an even harder time when facing difficulties in life, beyond school. People in the “real world” constantly experience hardships and have to overcome obstacles, which builds resilience, problem solving skills, as well as character. People are shaped by their experiences in life, including positive and negative ones. However, Metcalf may take this idea a little too far when he suggests everyone should move to third world countries in order to experience struggle. A little extreme if you ask me, but that's just something you have to get used to when listening to Medcalf’s ideas and views.

20 Percent Time

One of the major reforms Medcalf has integrated into his classes and promoted in many different educational institutions is 20 percent time. 20 percent time is a project where students are given time to work on an idea or passion of their own choice, which promotes personal growth and aids the community. I was honestly a bit intimidated when I first heard about this project because after so many years of being instructed on what to do in school, I’ve sort of lost that part of myself that is imaginative and willing to take charge. However, that’s more reasoning to support this program. If other students are nervous to take on the 20 time project, than it’s even more vital that we to do it, while exercise our creativity and willingness to learn from failure. Although, with any idea, comes a handful of problems that need to be addressed. Don mentioned that he expected students to go on their phones and goof off during the time they were given to work. I have to disagree with this because I think people would feel encouraged by other students and would take advantage of the time to pursue their personal passions, an opportunity not many students receive.

Closing Thoughts

In the end, even if Medcalf is a little out to lunch, many of his ideas and views are very interesting and I believe would be beneficial to a typical classroom. Although, what makes me apprehensive is, the initial conversion to a free thinking and self driven class. I think the idea would be great in the long run, but the beginning stages would prove to be very difficult, as people are rewiring their brains and learning processes. It most likely is intimidating for many people, including myself, to control their own learning and accept failure in order to grow. However, the benefits greatly outweigh the initial hardships.

Likewise, the most exciting part of the 20 time project is the time to pursue your own passions and potentially incorporate new ones into your life. Overall, I think the ideas discussed in the podcast can beneficial towards reforming education, but the means by which they were expressed was poorly done. The podcast didn’t have a solid structure, which made it sound like the two speakers were ranting to each other. In the end, it was difficult to follow at times because the ideas were all over the place, but if the structure of the podcast was revised, than the ideas would be that much more effective.

Links

https://soundcloud.com/don-wettrick/ep88-joshua-medcalf - The link to the podcats with Joshua Medcalf and Don Wettrick.