One of the most notable characteristics of the Odyssey curriculum is that potential educational programs and culture are considered important. At Odyssey, we never forget the fact that the culture behind the timetable leads to changes in the everyday lives of our students. We never forget that every single factor constituting the everyday lives of students at our school – such as the atmosphere of the educational setting they feel as soon as they step inside in the morning, the relationship they have with their teachers, the way they converse with each other, and so on – is a crucial component of education.
We do not attempt to control students based on a specific framework we have created; instead, we respect each and every student as a unique human being and listen attentively to what they have to say. As a result, students put their trust in the school and their teachers. People tend to learn something when they still have hope and when they still have positive expectations about the future. Students learn when they respect themselves and when they trust the world (grown-ups) around them. At Odyssey School, the focus of all educational activities is on instilling the desire to learn in each and every student. The educational content and methods are designed in consideration of what needs for students to anticipate the future, build their self-esteem, and maintain their hopes about the world.
The only school rules that Odyssey has are the prohibition of violence, smoking and alcohol consumption. All other regulations and rules are established and observed by students themselves. Also, when a violation occurs, the issue is resolved through communication within the community, instead of penalizing the offender. Some students violate rules, but through the process of discussing the issue, they realize how terrible and terrifying it is to break trust, instead of growing fearful of punishment. Students also take on a leadership role when it comes to school trips and events. They form a team to organize and prepare for the event in question, discuss the matters proposed by the prep team, divide roles and responsibilities amongst themselves, and perform and evaluate the activities. Through the processes, they enhance their planning skills and become more independent. By sharing roles, we develop the ability of planning and management through the process of conducting and evaluating work.
the focus of each class is to draw student participation and encourage them to express themselves. Classes are not carried out in a Pathfinder, i.e. a lecture, but they are designed to encourage students to share their thoughts and ideas, ask questions, engage in hands-on activities, and express themselves in various ways. This is why there are no students who doze off during class, and they all participate in one way or another, through which they learn something new.
At Odyssey School, students go to a field and experience what they have learned in class, with whom people from all walks of life are invited to share their stories. Through this process, students can find a link between learning and life and broaden their views.
While there is a basic frame for the Odyssey’s curriculum, it can be changed depending on the level of prior education that the students have received as well as their level of interest, reactions, etc. Instead of predetermining a curriculum that students need to strictly follow and failing students if they cannot keep up, the curriculum is adjusted according to the circumstances faced by students so that they can gain a meaningful learning experience. Feedback on teachers and classes is obtained from each class, student-led meetings, or the end-semester evaluation. It may be reflected in the subsequent classes.
The learning spaces of Odyssey School are open to all teachers. Also, because students interact with their teachers in a small space, the teachers can naturally observe students and react to them. The information on what was learned in each class and the reactions and the growth of students are shared in a teachers’ meeting, and the Pathfinder share information on the meaning of learning and assignments, etc. with the students as a way to promote the growth of students.
We do not attempt to control students based on a specific framework we have created; instead, we respect each and every student as a unique human being and listen attentively to what they have to say. As a result, students put their trust in the school and their teachers. People tend to learn something when they still have hope and when they still have positive expectations about the future. Students learn when they respect themselves and when they trust the world (grown-ups) around them. At Odyssey School, the focus of all educational activities is on instilling the desire to learn in each and every student. The educational content and methods are designed in consideration of what needs for students to anticipate the future, build their self-esteem, and maintain their hopes about the world.
The only school rules that Odyssey has are the prohibition of violence, smoking and alcohol consumption. All other regulations and rules are established and observed by students themselves. Also, when a violation occurs, the issue is resolved through communication within the community, instead of penalizing the offender. Some students violate rules, but through the process of discussing the issue, they realize how terrible and terrifying it is to break trust, instead of growing fearful of punishment. Students also take on a leadership role when it comes to school trips and events. They form a team to organize and prepare for the event in question, discuss the matters proposed by the prep team, divide roles and responsibilities amongst themselves, and perform and evaluate the activities. Through the processes, they enhance their planning skills and become more independent. By sharing roles, we develop the ability of planning and management through the process of conducting and evaluating work.
the focus of each class is to draw student participation and encourage them to express themselves. Classes are not carried out in a Pathfinder, i.e. a lecture, but they are designed to encourage students to share their thoughts and ideas, ask questions, engage in hands-on activities, and express themselves in various ways. This is why there are no students who doze off during class, and they all participate in one way or another, through which they learn something new.
At Odyssey School, students go to a field and experience what they have learned in class, with whom people from all walks of life are invited to share their stories. Through this process, students can find a link between learning and life and broaden their views.
While there is a basic frame for the Odyssey’s curriculum, it can be changed depending on the level of prior education that the students have received as well as their level of interest, reactions, etc. Instead of predetermining a curriculum that students need to strictly follow and failing students if they cannot keep up, the curriculum is adjusted according to the circumstances faced by students so that they can gain a meaningful learning experience. Feedback on teachers and classes is obtained from each class, student-led meetings, or the end-semester evaluation. It may be reflected in the subsequent classes.
The learning spaces of Odyssey School are open to all teachers. Also, because students interact with their teachers in a small space, the teachers can naturally observe students and react to them. The information on what was learned in each class and the reactions and the growth of students are shared in a teachers’ meeting, and the Pathfinder share information on the meaning of learning and assignments, etc. with the students as a way to promote the growth of students.
The relationship with teachers is vital for students and is adequately directed toward the path of learning. At Odyssey, teachers are referred to as a Pathfinder. This is because they do not teach unilaterally, but they guide students toward the path of learning and stimulate their drive to learn. Students do not just listen to what their teachers tell them to do; they emulate practically everything that their teachers do. This is why the competency (educational capacity) of teachers at Odyssey cannot be judged merely based on the teaching skills, the ability to carry out an activity, etc. This is because all including their characters, attitudes toward life, actions, etc. serve to guide students toward the path of learning.
As a Pathfinder who helps students learn on their own, teachers must also be able to learn and grow on their own. This is why what teachers at Odyssey want to learn is considered more important than his/her major, aptitudes, and skills. This is the reason the teachers are asked to design their classes and project activities based on what they themselves want to learn, in addition to what students want to learn. It is worth noting that the passion for learning is quite contagious.
The Pathfinder at Odyssey plays the role of helping students link what they have learned in class and through various educational activities with their lives, internalize them, and determine the context of learning. For this reason, the Pathfinder makes detailed observations of the learning process of each and every student and discuss students with each teacher in the subject Based on this information, they check where students have troubles moving into the next phase of learning, explain the meaning of what the students are learning at the moment, and give feedback on what needs to be done in order to make the learning experience richer and more meaningful.
COPYRIGHT 2021 Odyssey School.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
COPYRIGHT 2021 Odyssey School. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
