Unit Concepts

To what extent should students choose what they learn about and choose the form in which they represent their learning?
I think that a good deal would depend on the age of the child. Obviously elementary school age children need to learn the basics, but as children mature and reach high school age, I believe they should have some control over their intake of knowledge.Students learn at different rates, and have different learning styles. One student may not be a ble to grasp a concept in Physics when presented in a lecture, but by building a skate board ramp and working out formulas for maximum dynamics, the concepts of time/ motion become clear. I am a visual learner, I need to see something in order to tryly understand it. If a student wants to produce a play about the civil war , who's to say they won't learn as much or more as if they read some dry historical text. When students get to college, and then the "real" world they are able to choose their interests and the method in which they want to learn more about those interests, likewise students should be given a certain amount of freedom to make their own choices. Of course with such a structured curriculum now, I think this could pose some problems, but I have seen it done by creative teachers and students.
to be continued!