Some students question CTL's value
by Hanna Bernett
September 26th, 2018
by Hanna Bernett
September 26th, 2018
Throughout years of school, most students have experienced some form of modernized teaching tactics. Between flipped classrooms, socratic seminars, and group projects, teachers nationwide are striving to break from the traditional lecture style class. Here at Hampton, this phenomenon took the form of the Conceptual Thinking Lab.
The Conceptual Thinking Lab, more commonly known as “that one room with the whiteboard tables,” is a room about which students have mixed feelings. Is the room truly useful, or is it just one of many ways for the district to keep up an appearance of initiating innovative educational practices?
Ninth grade English teacher Mrs. Marron is a fan of the room. She commented, “The Conceptual Thinking Lab is really good to help students visualize their thinking, which helps them to collaborate more effectively and think through problems. What’s nice about that classroom as opposed to a traditional class space is that it is easily moveable, so you can see that ideas are not static.”
“I’ve used the conceptual thinking lab in various math classes throughout the years, and I have found it helpful during group activities. I think it is a great space because the interactive material in the room makes collaboration easier,” said Ana De Niz (‘19).
“I think the school had a good idea, but the teachers and students don’t seem to use it a lot, and I’ve only been in there three times,” said Natali Lara (‘19).
“Honestly, I don’t understand the use,” added Lake Strobel (‘21).
“I’ve only used it once, and when I did, I found it more inconvenient than it was worth,” said Camie Peters (‘20).
Clearly, students get different experiences from the CTL based on the subject of the class and the type of project. But would the district be better off investing its money in new textbooks, better technology in the library, or a sound system for the auditorium? Regardless of what the best use of the budget is, Hampton students will have to keep an eye out for the next big trend in education strategies.
The Conceptual Thinking Lab, more commonly known as “that one room with the whiteboard tables,” is a room about which students have mixed feelings. Is the room truly useful, or is it just one of many ways for the district to keep up an appearance of initiating innovative educational practices?
Ninth grade English teacher Mrs. Marron is a fan of the room. She commented, “The Conceptual Thinking Lab is really good to help students visualize their thinking, which helps them to collaborate more effectively and think through problems. What’s nice about that classroom as opposed to a traditional class space is that it is easily moveable, so you can see that ideas are not static.”
“I’ve used the conceptual thinking lab in various math classes throughout the years, and I have found it helpful during group activities. I think it is a great space because the interactive material in the room makes collaboration easier,” said Ana De Niz (‘19).
“I think the school had a good idea, but the teachers and students don’t seem to use it a lot, and I’ve only been in there three times,” said Natali Lara (‘19).
“Honestly, I don’t understand the use,” added Lake Strobel (‘21).
“I’ve only used it once, and when I did, I found it more inconvenient than it was worth,” said Camie Peters (‘20).
Clearly, students get different experiences from the CTL based on the subject of the class and the type of project. But would the district be better off investing its money in new textbooks, better technology in the library, or a sound system for the auditorium? Regardless of what the best use of the budget is, Hampton students will have to keep an eye out for the next big trend in education strategies.