Making Learning Come Alive!

How often do we really think about the learning going on in our schools? How often to we question the status quo and wonder what it could be like if we did things differently? As an administrator, I see many students that are compliant, but is that what we want? I came across this info graphic that spoke directly to the idea of making learning come alive in our schools. Where do we want students to be and what do we want them to produce and how do we want them to achieve?

Teachers are a wealth of knowledge, and often they are also the most tired person at the end of the day. As schools, we should empower students to inquire about their interests and explore options for learning that best suit them and their educational needs. Won't students get the benefit when they are invested fully in what they are learning? We have to be risk takers as educators and start turning over the classroom to the students. The process of making this change takes time, commitment and dedication from all parties involved. When you read through your twitter feed today, look at how many students are in charge of their learning. Our students at every school in every city and town are capable rising to these expectations.

Learning is different today and many times I hear that the fun has been taken out of school. If we believe this continuum of engagement, classrooms will be lively with discussion and collaboration as students work towards creating products and outcomes in which they are invested. We must empower our teachers to be able to explore the talents and interests of their students so that learning changes in each of our classrooms to a model of Learner-Driven.

Thanks to Barbara Bray & Kathleen McClaskey for the thought provoking graphic!