21st Century Learning and Teaching

Thinking about Thinking Optimizes Learning

Most teachers know that if students reflect on how they learn, they become better learners. For example, some students may think and process information best in a quiet library; others may focus better surrounded by familiar noise or music. Learning strategies that work for math may be different from those applied in the study of a foreign language. For some, it takes more time to understand biology than chemistry. With greater awareness of how they acquire knowledge, students learn to regulate their behavior to optimize learning. They begin to see how their strengths and weaknesses affect how they perform. The ability to think about one’s thinking is what neuroscientists call metacognition. As students’ metacognitive abilities increase, research suggests they also achieve at higher levels.

Metacognition plays an important role in all learning and life experiences. Beyond academic learning, when students gain awareness of their own mental states, they begin to answer important questions: How do I live a happy life? How do I become a respected human being? How do I feel good about myself? Through these reflections, they also begin to understand other people’s perspectives.  

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?&tag=reflection

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?&tag=Psychology

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?&tag=Metacognition

The beginning of a new year typically presents individuals with a designated time and opportunity to reflect upon the events of the past 365 days, to cherish the unforgettable moments, to learn from mistakes or disappointments, and most importantly, to set goals for the next chapter in this adventure we call life. In education, we call these types of behaviors “reflective practice”, or the manner in which teachers step back and evaluate the learning environment.

As in any other profession, we assess what was successful, what didn’t work as planned and/or what needs to be adjusted the next time—all in an effort to improve our craft.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=reflection

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2016/06/01/update-twitter-chats-what-to-do-better/

https://www.pinterest.com/swirlz42/mia-macmeekin/

Learning is more than just asking questions and getting answers (whether through social media or a search engine), there’s an active component to learning that is too often forgotten. When I look at the tools in the Top 100 tools for learning, I see some reflective tools, e.g. writing, but I may be one of the few who’s talking about diagramming tools, and I think that’s important. Not diagramming, per se, but representation tools that allow us to express our understanding.

So in my mind learning is action and reflection, with two nuances. The first notion is that the action/reflection cycle is the process, not the outcome. The outcome, technically, is a new response to the same stimuli.

In short, we act and reflect to develop our ability to do something different and presumably better. The second is that this is separate from instruction, which is designed action and guided reflection.  Self-learning, however, requires self-designed action and self-guided reflection.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2014/10/03/design-the-learning-of-your-learners-students-ideas/

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=reflection

The time has come for the media to review their current practices and demand utmost integrity from themselves and their people. I long for a day when the news media awaken to their conscience and accept responsibility as gatekeepers of the truth. It’s time for them to understand the vital role they play and to ensure that every member lives according to the highest standards of honor and integrity. The late Edward R. Murrow, one of journalism’s great figures, said, “To be credible we must be truthful.” The media have a moral duty and an obligation to live by that principle. Truth is not an option. It’s a necessity!

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching?tag=Critical-Thinking

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?q=ethics