Discovery Year 7. Session 7. Week 4.
In the studio this week, Discoverers focused on work, resetting habits, and building on each others’ points in discussions.
Growing Curiosity
This week, Explorers guided Discoverers in a mini-quest of self-reflection and personality. Discoverers were challenged to consider aspects of their personalities, then create a unique emoji that represents themselves.
A Tech Reset
In light of some recent events that highlighted a changing relationship with technology in the studio, Discoverers took a break for their tech from Wednesday afternoon to Friday afternoon this week.
In a discussion about technology, Discoverers recognized many of its strengths. It allows us to communicate efficiently, gather feedback, track goals, collaborate on shared documents, and access powerful learning tools. Many reflected that Journey Tracker, Google Docs, and adaptive software help them organize their work and grow as independent learners.
At the same time, learners were honest about the challenges. They identified distraction, reduced face-to-face interaction, and the temptation to use technology for purposes beyond learning. Discoverers acknowledged that their studio's tech habits had drifted away from the guardrails.
So, to kick off the tech reset on Wednesday, learners took time to literally and figuratively perform some tech hygiene. They cleaned their devices, organized bookmarks and tabs, documented physical issues, and generally restored them as tools ready for purposeful work. Then, they shut them down and put them away until an Explore Quest challenge on Friday afternoon.
As with so many challenges we face in the studio, Discoverers met this reset with enthusiasm and readiness. They see the reset as a chance to strengthen their learning, their studio culture, and their independence.
Creative Reuse Field Trip
This week, Discovery ventured off-campus for their Pitch-a-Field-Trip field trip! They headed over to Austin Creative Reuse to learn about the program, explore the space, and take time to support the mission and prep materials for sale.
Thank you for your openheartedness, Discoverers!