MESSAGE FROM THE
HEADMASTER Strongest Connections Powered by ‘Unplugging’
A
S YOU’RE no doubt aware, one of the
Kansas, Indiana, and right here in Connecticut
newest and most pervasive trends
have staged sit-ins and walk-outs to protest
in American education is project-based,
a web-based, self-paced platform and curric-
student-centered (and student-
ulum from Summit Learning — complaining
directed) learning.
of everything from headaches to prolonged
In place of neat rows of desks and chairs, the
feelings of isolation in limited interaction with
new classroom model calls for small-group,
their teachers and peers.
technology-equipped workstations (pods), at
“Silicon Valley has tried to remake American education in its own image for years, even as
of projects, while the teacher stands to the side,
many in tech eschew gadgets and software at
offers encouragement, and poses questions.
home and flood into tech-free schools,” the
which students collaborate in teams on a variety
report observes.
This approach is literally taking over and
“For years, education experts have debated
rearranging classrooms across America, growing from the undeniable enthrallment
the merits of self-directed, online learning
with technology that capti-
versus traditional teacher-led
vates 21st-century adults and
classrooms. Proponents argue
approach to instruction in content, in method,
that programs like Summit
and (especially) in character has been and will
provide children, especially
continue to be the bedrock and cornerstone of a
those in underserved towns,
Brunswick education.
students alike. In this way, Brunswick boys are no different: They play Fortnite long into the night. They’re scrolling through Instagram or Twitter on their walks to and from Greenwich Academy. They’re watching Netflix on bus rides to away games. In the classroom, however, Brunswick has kept a distance from the somewhat irresistible force of technology that is
IN THE CLASSROOM, HOWEVER, BRUNSWICK HAS KEPT A DISTANCE FROM THE SOMEWHAT IRRESISTIBLE FORCE OF TECHNOLOGY THAT IS INCREASINGLY RECONFIGURING SO MANY SCHOOLS.
access to high-quality curric-
And, with the opening of our Vermont Campus,
ulums and teachers. Skeptics
we’ve taken our deliberate commitment to
worry about screen time and
“unplugging” even further: All students turn in
argue that students miss out
their electronic devices upon arrival and remain
on important interpersonal
unplugged for the entire extent of their stay.
lessons.” We strongly concur with the skeptics. Only our Upper School boys are issued laptops — and those
To their surprise and ours, they have found that they love it! With those boys in mind, I offer you a summer challenge: Try to “unplug” for a few hours at a time —
increasingly reconfiguring so
are not to be “on and open”
perhaps even a few days at a time. You’ll likely be
many schools.
during class, so as to maintain
amazed by the refreshing and relaxing results.
We believe we have very good reason to tread carefully, thoughtfully, and cautiously. As detailed in an April New York Times
the direct and invaluable classroom interaction between students and teachers. In honoring and responding to each and
article entitled “Silicon Valley Came to Kansas
every boy as a wonderful and contributory indi-
Schools. That Started a Rebellion,” students in
vidual, a fundamental, direct, human-to-human
Thomas W. Philip
WWW.BRUNSWICKSCHOOL .ORG
| 01