Jamie Oliver’s Dream School; Worth Watching
by I was watching a very interesting episode of an interesting series, ‘Jamie Oliver’s Dream School.’ Read up to find why I feel it is worth watching this series.
Jamie Oliver, Image via Wikipedia
I have just finished watching a very interesting documentary on channel 4 called ‘Jamie Oliver’s Dream School.’ In this program, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has created a 6 week school for a group of rowdy school students, the type who are labelled by many as not being able to be taught. Yet what makes his school different from all others is that instead of having ordinary teachers, he has brought in some highly recognisable faces, those who are at the top of their fields.
Having just tuned in and seen the second episode, I was interested to see the likes of Alistair Campbell (leading journalist and Tony Blair’s former political aide) trying to teach a load of troublemakers how to argue properly. Now whilst this may sound like a bad idea initially, I mean why teach a kid who deals with confrontation by shouting all swearwords under the sun and if that doesn’t work, resulting to violence how to argue properly? The reason why is because according to Campbell, this is not the proper way to win an argument.
Another famous individual was the historian David Starkey who had difficult with one student, ending up in an insult war with this person. Yet after some time out, both parties soon made up and Starkey was back teaching in this episode, gaining the respect of the children who had initially turned against him in a pack mentality style.
Alongside a list of famous faces, what I found interesting was the method of teaching which the dream school tried to promote. Instead of the typical standard authoritarian style of teaching which you and I experienced during our schooldays, the celebrities were advised to simply layout the ground rules and from there, to interact with the students, to try engage them. Speak to them rather than at them.
Surprisingly this method of teaching seems to be producing positive results with the students. By encouraging them as well as talking to them, the students seem to be learning and progressing forwards, though not without taking a few steps back once in a while.
If you are able to watch it, I would highly recommend so. At the time of writing this article, it is currently being televised on channel 4 (UK) yet if you are in another country (or reading it after the series has finished) I would recommend trying to watch it online. If anything else, it would makes a very entertaining viewing, watching all the arguments, etc. takes place.
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Post Commentlolontka
On March 9, 2011 at 7:29 pm
I will certainly watch it next week. Jamie Oliver does try doesn’t he, you have to give him credit for that.
Persuasion
On March 9, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Jamie is wonderful ^_^ I love his shows
Heloni Lynn
On March 9, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Thank you for your share
Uma Shankari
On March 9, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Excellent, excellent, excellent. Excellent review. I almost felt I watched the entire series. And I agree with the methodologies so much. Of course, you need a certain calibre of teachers to carry it through. I agree with the first example of teaching how to argue. This is a skill that even the best of us – I know I do – need to have. We have a point, feel passionately about i, but did not know how to be persuasive about it, got angry instead, and shouted!! And often having a strategy that’s out-of-the-rut unsettles their behavior patterns and help them to break out of it. That is why, one of the methods followed i cognitive training is ‘if certain actions produce the same behavior, just change the actions’.
GameLive
On March 9, 2011 at 9:23 pm
good share
UncleSam
On March 10, 2011 at 4:37 am
Nice share thanks
anndavey650
On March 10, 2011 at 7:09 am
This is an important step forward if we want to teach our school children principals rather than just talk at them and hope for the best.
UncleSam
On March 11, 2011 at 9:50 am
Good One
Nina Mason
On March 11, 2011 at 10:49 pm
I had not heard of it until now but it does sound interesting.
I will see if I can locate it. Thank you Alex.
lmonline
On March 12, 2011 at 8:43 am
Thanks for sharing
scriofa
On March 22, 2011 at 3:37 am
Sounds promising. But what is Jamie’s role in the show?
youthinksokiddo
On March 25, 2011 at 1:21 am
sounds like a great show and a great method of teaching.