Why I Don't Like Classrooms

​Hi I'm David Gregory and this is my blog...

(If you're an Australian there's a great movie reference in what I just said), if not watch The Castle, and be completely confused by our humour! Then watch Troll 2 and be completely perplexed by American humour. Ok so it's suppose to be horror, but seriously... it's not, it's hilarious! Please watch it, despite the low ratings, it should be on everyone's to watch list!

Ok so before I get bogged down in movie reviews, which is not what this blog's about, I have a passion for education outside the classroom. There's so much to learn about the world and about oneself outside the confines of school. Since people learn more effectively from actually doing things, rather than just studying them, this blog's all about experiential education. The challenges, the opportunities and the amazing learning moments that happen!

So what the hell do you know?

Good question! Years ago I found myself employed as a teacher, quite by accident and not by design, a long story I will no doubt share at some point. However, after having had a job in sales, then one as a political advisor and then a computer technician. I finally found myself in education, teaching high school English, which bored me to no end! No matter what I tried, kids were disengaged and just didn't want to know anything about analysing texts...

Then one day I got involved in a local army cadet unit. Suddenly working with teenagers was completely different! The fact they were out of the classroom and being challenged was fantastic. I saw that teaching problem solving skills that could be applied to a wide variety of situations was developing these kids into young adults in a really positive way. From this moment I was hooked. This was what I wanted to be doing! This is what I had to be doing!

So fifteen years later, and having had many unique opportunities to travel and teach, I'm still involved in experiential education. I've planned and executed countless trips and activities, which have varied from overnight primary school camps, to the classic Canberra excursion, to a number of long-stay residential programs lasting up to 6 months!!!

Risk management and student safety has always been a priority for any activity I've been on and I'll keep referring back to this throughout the blog, as one of my aims is to help make any excursion away from school a safe and enjoyable one.

This doesn't mean we wrap kids in cotton wool, because that's just stupid, pointless and ultimately damaging. As educators, we need to push the boundaries and challenge kids beyond their comfort zone! We need kids to have real experiences away from technology, away from the classroom, and somewhere they can learn by doing!

I'm always looking for new, exciting and engaging challenges for kids and keen to hear the stories of others and what can be powerful learning moments for both kids and teachers. Feel free to get in touch, say hi or send through some of your greatest activities and learning moments. I'll be doing a couple of different monthly features on cool activities and excursions you might want to try with your kids. So come and join me on this amazing journey :)