Topic Name: How can we apply OST to K-6(~12)?
Topic Number: Second Day 3:00pm
Convenor: Eva, Jessie
Participants: Jessie, Eva, Zhi-Wei, Lee, Shun, Tara, Tim, A-kuei, Shyau Shyan Chen
A. Why we want to discuss this?
1. Jessie as OST facilitator has difficulty to start this program in school at fist.
This year, find a way to build creditability at local school by teaching EQ to 5th graders.
2. Eva wishes to create a participatory decision making environment for young people. She has a passion to try different tools which may reach this ideal.
3. Lee shares the idea about the nature of school as the image of people gathering under the trees and talk to each other.
4. If there are no walls in the school, and students can choose the topics (subjects, or activities) they love, they can share and learn from each other.
5. (The ideal) school is an open space; students can share their thoughts, opinions, knowledge freely.
6. But the school right now, is in a competitive tradition, unlike OST which tends to be a more cooperative, sharing...
7. If we can together create the vision, imagination about school life…
8. Local communities are also important as stake holders in school setting
(Community can share/ add resources with/to school.) i.e. H1N1
9. A meeting combines community, parents, teachers, and school authorities. (A collaborative network from mechanical function (provide certain functions which school asked) to organical (they can create things, programs…together)…)
10. Jessie shares her story about the divided volunteering group.
B. Get back to how to introduce OST into school setting
1. How to get start? Hum, we may start from the small things that kids really care about. i.e. classroom rules, School’s day etc… Or the conflicts already existed, ie. Play ground fighting…
2. Wei’s reflection, sometimes students can see the problems that school authorities cannot see. Once they express their concerns, school often treat the issues as “not important” or cover/response the issues in their own way. Students need an “open space” to express and to be respected.
3. The tutors are important! The tutor’s right mindset (democratic, wiling to share the authority, power...) will create a safe circle for students to try OST. Tutors can have lots of tools; OST is just one of them. Once they see fit to apply, they can try.
4. Also note the OST principles! In the classroom setting, it’s sometimes hard for teachers to accept “the law of two feet”… And think about it, they have to allow the participants (students) voluntarily join it.
5. Shawn: form experience, school authorities, parents’ and teacher’s associations are vital to the success of OST.
6. The timing to use OST is for the real need and urgent issues. There is a need and necessity to use it.
7. Should we “sell” OST?? Share testimonies; allow ppl to know your positive experience… let them know you will be available if they have the need.
8. School mediator program in USA and Canada. When students share certain decision making power, they may create better solutions…
9. The prework design to fit the younger people
10. The theme should not be imposed by school authorities.
11. Remember voluntary participation, skillful intervene (to protect the open space), but open to any outcome…
