Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose

Is it possible for students to be autonomous in today's classroom?  Can I design my classroom where students master concepts for which they see a purpose?   This is not an easy task as long as high stakes standardized testing remains in the forefront.  Many of the math courses I teach have a standardized test at the end.  The students are judged on the results of these tests and so am I.  I am limited on how much I can deviate from the standardized curriculum.  However, I do teach a course in which I can be a little creative and try something different.  

In my Probability and Statistics course, I have the freedom to explore a different model of teaching.  This course does not have a standardized test at the end.  Also, this course is not a pre-requisite for another course.  There are standards that I must teach, but I can approach them in a different way.

Instead of students completing worksheets and tests to show that they have learned statistical concepts such as central tendencies, measures of variation, and normal distribution, students can complete projects that interest them. 
I would love to say to my students, "Think of something that interests you. It could be an important issue in the media, a hobby, or something about school.  Design a statistical study to learn about this issue."

Students will have autonomy in their learning because they will decide how to use the information they learned in class.  In order to complete a good project, they must show mastery in the statistical concepts. They have to really understand the formulas to be able to apply them to the projects. The projects will have purpose because they will be a topics that interests them.  Students can use the data and evidence from their studies to help make changes and solve problems.  

Moving Mindsets in Education

I have come to the realization that I may become extinct.  The days of needing a teacher standing at the front of a room lecturing are coming to a close.  The days of the "sage on the stage" are gone.  Anyone can learn anything at any time thanks to technology.  There is nothing unique about my math lessons that a student could not get from a video online.  I have to think of ways to adapt or the extinction will come sooner rather than later.  
I am willing to embrace technology and become a new explorer along with my students.  Instead of me being the only person to deliver content and teach, I have to be willing to let go of the power.  The students can become the teachers.  This is huge paradigm shift for me.  Of course there will still be standards and curriculum to follow, but the students need to be given more control on how the learning develops. I need to be able to say, "Here is what we need to learn...Let's work together to learn this material".  The students need to feel ownership in the learning process and feel it is valuable for them.  We all learn best when the learning as meaning for us.  The math content needs to make since for students' lives and career goals.  
This "new" classroom is so different than my current lecture format.  I want to make changes to begin the journey so that I don't find myself extinct in a few years.