Do we really consider the needs of the learners we work with?
“It was nice for a change to think about how we wanted to learn instead of how we had to learn.”
— 6th grade student
Do we take the time to understand the nature and needs of the learning group we are working with? Do we include introvert/extrovert needs? Audio? Visual? Kinesthetic? Do we take into account developmental needs? Do we engage critical thinking or simply remain in the knowledge level of learning?
What do you need in order to successfully engage in learning as an individual or as a member of a group?
Learners need us to model, demonstrate and provide the container for learning to occur. For so long education has been more concerned about downloading information that the learner has been left out of the learning equation. And yet, it is the learner and their relationship to learning that exits the educational system. The only reality is the learner.
We seem to have it backwards – we are more concerned with test results rather than if the learner has the skills to “learn” in the future. Learning to learn is a skill. If we are to successfully graduate students into the world of becoming a productive member of the greater community, we need to be equally concerned with the “how” and “what” of learning.
I have had the chance to work with several young “graduated” students. It is disappointing to find young people who are “book” smart and not skilled in the basics of analysis, synthesis, practical application, problem solving and critical thinking. Yep, they passed the requisite test and nope, they can’t figure out how to apply learning to their lives.
As a leader – are you a learner? Do you model learning with your adults? Do you focus on graduating learners from your school?
What relationship to learning will you insist on being the norm in your school next year?
LeeAnn
