Affinity Community Learning Center

 

 ”To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now in the right direction”                                                                                 Stephen Covey
 
 
Location: The Affinity Community Learning Center  (ACLC) is located near downtown Courtenay adjacent to Courtenay Recreational Center. It is an alternative middle school aged learning center which follows the idea of a “storefront” location, that is a location that is not associated with a traditional school model. The ACLC is comprised of 3 large areas; one dedicated to technology,(see appendix for technology equipment) one a learning center with casual tables, chairs, couch, nutrition station, and one a commercial kitchen shared with the Recreational Center. The hours of the ACLC are approximately 10-4. Learning Facilitators (previously know as teachers), work in staggered shifts so at least one is available from 8-5.

Vision: The idea behind this school is loosely modelled from the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center (The Met) in Providence, Rhode Island. The priority is on personalized learning, and a balance of a student having a sense that he or she is an individual and a member of a community. A main focus in the ACLC is that the Learning Facilitators are learners too, and learn alongside the students and from the students. Also, as self-esteem is often low with our students it is important that they feel significant every day.

Students: There are presently 68 students in a age groups of grade 6, 7, 8. They have been having challenges fitting into the regular system and have different levels of ability and commitment. There is a history  both learning and behaviour problems.  A few are know to the local police. Many could fit under the broad term of “at risk.”The students are mostly boys and come from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, but many come from poverty. They are often from one parent households. They come with a wide variety of strengths and needs.

Learning Planning: The first thing we do with new students is to “profile” them. This consists of discussing with one of the learning facilitators what their strenghts are and what they need to work on. There is also a demystification process Ala Mel Levin that gives them a clear idea of their learning profile and to work on their “affinity,” that is what are they really good at. The question is asked “where do you see yourself in 10 years?” and a individual learning plan is devised for each student with the student. The parents are included and integral in this process of designing a learning plan.

Learning Facilitators: At present there are 4 facilitators at ACLC. Their backgrounds are varied; they have experience in regular, special, gifted education and counselling. They all have Masters of Education degrees.Two of the facilitators also have certificates in Adlerian School Counselling.The students are divided into 4  mulit-aged groups of approximately 17. The group of 17 will work with their Learning Facilitator. They will be grouped to best “fit” their affinity and the Learning Facilitators expertise.

Curriculum: The approach to curriculum development envelops the whole set up and philosophy of the ACLC. That is the educational plans are individual and designed by those that know them best. That there is an importance for 21st century learners to be facilitated in both skills and knowledge. There is a tie in and connection to the global world. That the students who come to the ACLC are “digital natives” and need to use their connective tools in their learning.

Learning goals include but are not limited to:
higher order cognitive organization including: time management, material management, prioritization, task integration/project mentality, thought arrangement, meta cognition
think/create/analysis/evaluate/apply/problem solve/ think critically
care about themselves and others/give back to community
work in groups and independently
speak well, write well, read well and work well with numbers
to be happy in their life and work

Technology at Affinity Community Learning Center for all students and staff:
- laptops (win XP)
- portable scanners
- 4gig usb drives
-colour networked laser printer for each class
-unlimited ink cartridges and paper for printer
- networked photocopier/fax/etc. machine
- external mice
-headsets with microphones
-ipod nano mp3 player with microphone attachment (so they can record lectures)
- Flip cameras (1 per class ) (so facilitators/kids can record lectures and post on blog, etc.)
- digital cameras (video too) a class set that can be signed out by teachers.
- lcd projector (mounted from ceiling)/ Smartboard combo for each class
- tv/dvd combo
-wireless school environment (but still proxied (so kids can’t access restricted sites).
-smartboard document camera (one per class)
- unlimited bandwidth for Internet (so video streaming, etc. if fast, and perfect).
- sound system for each classroom (that plugs into laptops)
- ergonomically correct desks/ chairs.
 
Software for students/staff:
- Win XP
-Office 2007
-Adobe Acrobat
-Adobe Photoshop
-Kurzweil 3000
-Dragon Naturally Speaking (voice recognition software)
-Virus protection
-Notebook ver.10 (smartboard software)
-Photostory 3
- Itunes (for access to itunes university)
- unrestricted YouTube, etc. access
- video editing program