Who “owns” the Learning?
Posted by PLB Blogger · 1 Comment
As trends in education are changing, and students are becoming more proactive, its time to consider who “owns” the learning in our classrooms. As information is more easily available, the role of the teacher is changing from being an information provider to a guide and a motivator.
In this scenario, getting students into the driver’s seat with their learning is a great strategy to help them understand the bigger picture and stay motivated. Discussing goals and objectives students understand where they need to go. Academic choices help students to own their learning process and decide how they would like to reach their objectives.
To do this, teachers need to be as clear as ever about learning goals for students. In addition, teachers need to be able to translate this into something simple and bite-size so that the students can grasp and take on these challenges. By being creative in our teaching strategies and looking beyond what we may usually do teachers can help students driving their learning outcomes.
What are some ways teachers can help students “own” learning in the classroom?
There are so many ways teachers can help students “own” learning in the classroom! One is, before any new topic is chosen, students should state what they already know about the subject. The teacher should record all ideas. As students read about the topic, or observe what happens in science experiments, they should go back to their original ideas to cross out what ideas are not true, check off what ideas are true, and mark places for “further research.” As students read both fiction and informative texts, they should “turn and talk” to a partner about a “prediction,” “a reaction,” “a learning fact that was intriguing,” ask questions to clarify information, or start with “I wonder…” etc. When students interact with what they read, they own their learning. A “Morning Message” can direct students to show what they remember about a topic, state a fact they find intriguing, write what they expect to see on a trip, etc. “Sharing” enables students to share something special about themselves. When the rest of the students are taught to ask three “thick and rich” questions of the sharer, the learning once again is in the hands of the students. Teachers are the models. They should model how students can think with rigor as they ask powerful questions throughout the year to further their students’ thinking. By modeling, students learn to ask their own powerful questions, furthering their thinking. An Inquiry based classroom with strong student interactions place the learning and thinking in the hands of the students.