Learning Manifesto

Growing up I was always good at school.  I made good grades, I took advanced classes and I excelled.  Though it may not have looked like it because of my performance; I never really enjoyed learning.   I performed because that is what I thought I was supposed to do.  As a first born, I had high expectations placed on me.  My parents, with all good intentions, did not expect me to make less than a B or take "regular" classes instead of Pre-AP or AP courses.  I even took some dual credit courses my junior and senior year of high school.  Because I had high expectations placed on me I did perform well and it paid off.  I graduated number 21 in my class out of almost 350.  I was accepted into a big university and offered scholarships.  As a parent, I can only imagine that is the "dream". 

 

However, once I got to college I really realized that I had never really been "challenged".  I had never really had the need to study or prepare for exams, speeches or projects like I was being asked to in my college courses.  My world was turned upside down.  For the first time in my life I was making below a B, and way below.  I was failing my business math class, horribly.  I ended up dropping the course.  I didn't understand the concept or how my professor was teaching.  I didn't know how to study or ask for help.  I became very discouraged and called my mom crying on multiple occasions.  I didn't "feel" smart anymore.  I felt like a failure.

 

Unfortunately, I think this is the story of a lot of "bright" kids when they go off to college.  I think the education system as a whole hasn't properly prepared them for the real challenges that life presents.  Mainly,  prepared to put effort in and to fail a few times.  I expected it to be much like college but about things I had chosen.  I was so wrong.  I have been out of high school for some time now, but I have friends and even my husband, that are high school teachers.  I know that they are to give each student so many chances to make up exams, turn in late assignments, and even can't give below certain grades.  I know how often they make phone calls home to parents, how many times they give reminders to students about upcoming due dates and post multiple updates on their homepages too.

 

In no way do I blame my teachers or the teachers of today for the unpreparedness and lack of drive I had to study. I know just how hard they are all working to help better each and every student that walks in their doors. Having said that, I do believe that there is a huge lack in holding students accountable for their work and  grades.  I think this stems ultimately from society as a whole and filters down into state and district mandates.  Of course districts do not want a large quantity of students failing, so what better way to make sure of that then to mandate that they have to accept late assignments, have a minimum grade requirement and so on?  Of course we are talking about child students and not adult students here, but still there should be ownership and responsibility for them none the less.

 

How does one allow for learning and growth while still holding students accountable?  It is my belief that students should be part of the solution.  And to make them part of the solution we have to let them in on the problem.  We have to let go of some of the control that we have.  We let go of the fear that they may make mistakes and it might get "messy".  As the famous Ms. Frizzle says, "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!”  We have to cultivate this climate in each of our classrooms so that students feel safe to take risks, ask questions and investigate the answers. 

 

As a kindergarten teacher, I see students come in at the beginning of their educational career and they are excited, full of wonder and curiosity.  However, by the time they leave elementary school and move on to intermediate and high school that has all but disappeared completely.  Why?  Because somewhere between the first day of kindergarten and the last day of fifth grade they have learned that school is a place they come to get educated and not a place they come to learn.  There is a huge difference between education and learning.  Education is where one is taught knowledge about different subjects through preplanned lessons and curriculum.  Learning is exciting, innovative, explorative and full of discovery.  A person can be really knowledgeable about a topic, but if they never experience it how can they grow to love it?  The same goes for learning.  If we do not allow for our students to experience learning versus education they can never learn to love it because all they know is knowledge about different subjects.  Knowledge is valuable, but not at the cost of experience. 

 

Many times as educators (and higher up in education) we think we need to have all the answers and have the perfect lesson plan articulated and executed every day.  The truth is that we don't.  We just need to meet our students where they are and create a space for students to begin enjoying learning again.  To do this we need to let them have some choice, ownership and voice in their learning.  I believe that when students see that you actually care about what they care about they are more willing to listen to you and in turn learn from you.  When we allow for our students, no matter their age, to have choice, ownership and voice in their learning then we truly swing the pendulum the other way.  Our students will then have a new vitality for learning.  Instead of having to extend assignments deadlines, pestering time and time again about expectations and guidelines, or having to make countless phone calls home, students will feel invigorated and sense of pride because they own their learning experience.  There becomes a shift in mindset.  No longer is it "I have to do this to get to this or to get this grade" it becomes "I get to do this and find out this".  The mindset shifts and a new culture is created.

 

One way that I propose to help mindsets shift is to implement blended learning in classrooms.  There are several different models (rotation, flex, a la carte, and enriched virtual) that can be used to best fit your class needs.  Even within the four models there are variations to the rotation model including station rotation, lab rotation, flipped classroom and individual rotation.  Again, whichever model you choose to use can be implemented in a way that meets the needs of your learners and helps flourish their desire to learn.  Personally in my kindergarten classroom I have opted for the station rotation model.  This is the model that is most widely accepted and used in a elementary  setting.  Within this model I have created stations that will help facilitate my young learners to use their creative thinking and problem solving skills while learning new content that is vital to their success.  If you would like to read more about my innovation plan and how I plan to implement the station rotation model in my kindergarten classroom you can see it here.

 

Blended learning, using the station rotation model which combines face-to-face classroom instruction with online educational resources, is a powerful and effective approach for kindergarten education as it fosters increased student engagement in authentic learning environments, where the learner has choice and voice to better own their learning.  When student's needs are met using authentic learning experiences they have the chance to explore, create and experiment, which in turn, leads them to have choice, ownership, and voice in their learning.  Blended learning through the station rotation model is how my students will be able to take the first step towards a successful learning career and the high probability of becoming a life-long learner. 

 

 

When a mindset shifts, a new beginning emerges.

Once students are invested in their learning it opens up endless possibilities.  Not only that, they will then have the knowledge and skills needed to be able to successfully move on past high school education.  Whether they pursue university, a tech program or trade, students will know how to pursue their interests in meaningful and authentic ways. They will be able to ask the questions, look for answers, be ok with mistakes and persevere to learn from them.  When the love of learning is ignited, a fire for discovery and exploration burns in the heart of every life-longer learner for years to come.