Carl looks back over the year of implementing self-directed learning in a conventional school with a 15 3rd and 4th grade high ability students. What were the ups and downs? What went well and what needed work?

Carl talks about how freedom of movement could improve the experience of kids in school. Freedom of movement could also lessen some conflicts because kids wouldn't be forced to be in the same space all day with the same groups. Flexibility of scheduling and the use of problem-solving skills would enhance the learning environment.

Carl talks about trying to create a self-directed learning environment in a conventional school. He touches on grades, schedules, classwork, etc and describes how teachers might be able to implement some of the self-directed program.

Carl talks about the absurdities of testing. We test kids multiple times during a school year. In some classrooms kids take tests multiple times a week. If learning can be measured, which is questionable, is testing the best way to measure it? Carl contends that a simple conversation is a much more effective way to gain information about what people know and can do.

Natural learning happens when people have a question they want to answer or a problem they want to solve and they search and experiment and fail and grow. Carl talks about how his class got hold of some 3D printers and the natural learning that followed.

Carl talks about how the kids in his class are growing in their decision making and how any obstacles that come about are opportunities to exercise problem solving skills.

Carl looks back over the first half of the year. He examines the tendency to fall back into schoolish ways if we don't constantly remind ourselves of what we are trying to do, what we believe in, and what our guiding principles are.

Carl talks about how a mini economy can be the best math lesson.