CIJE-Tech Skills: An Analysis of the CIJE-Tech Curriculum’s Implementation in Jewish Middle Schools and High Schools

Abstract

The teacher walks into the room and sets a pen, a light bulb, a battery and a small piece of tape in front of each student and instructs the class to make a flashlight. Students: “well, we don’t understand, how?” Teacher: “I don’t know, it’s your flashlight, make a flashlight.” Students: “I don’t know what to do” Teacher: “I don’t know what to do. Make your own flashlight; it’s your flashlight.” Students: “what’s it supposed to look like?” Teacher: “I don’t know it’s your flashlight.” Students: “Give us a hint.” At this point, the students are frustrated by the lack of direction and instruction Teacher: “You want a hint? Everything you need is right in front of you.” The students give up hope of the teacher telling them what they’re “supposed to” do, and begin tinkering with the minimal equipment. They take apart the pen and one student pulls out the ink. Once that student pulls out the ink, the figurative light bulbs start to go on. Another student wraps the LED bulb around the battery and it lights up.